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Die Herren Wunderlich

Die Herren Wunderlich

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The Herren Wunderlich – Elegance in Tails, Charm in Tone: The Kufstein Trio Reviving the Roaring Twenties

From Midnight Festivities to a Cult Ensemble: How three stage artists from Kufstein carry the legacy of the Comedian Harmonists and the Schlager era into the present with wit, virtuosity, and stage presence

The Herren Wunderlich have represented a musical career that artfully blends nostalgia and the present since the late 1990s. The ensemble from Kufstein – consisting of tenors Herbert Oberhofer and Georg Anker, along with pianist and baritone Josef Hacklinger – ignites the magic of the 1920s to 1960s through multi-part singing, pointed dialogue, and elegant arrangements. Their repertoire ranges from “Veronika, der Lenz ist da” to classic Christmas songs, with performances that combine vocal precision, humorous moderation, and a stage that shines in tails and a wink. The Herren Wunderlich are much more than retro: they are curators of a sonic memory that they keep alive with professionalism and esprit. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Foundation and Early Successes: A Trio with a Mission (since 1998)

In January 1998, the three musicians came together – initially for a midnight performance at a ball. This spontaneous appearance quickly evolved into a full evening program, which premiered in the spring of 1999 at the Kufstein Cultural Center. Even at this early stage, the ensemble showcased a balanced mix of historical work selection, clever program dramaturgy, and scenic lightness. The name “Die Herren Wunderlich” consciously pays homage to the great lyrical tenor Fritz Wunderlich, whose singing culture and stylistic clarity became aesthetic reference points for the group. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Style, Sound, and Repertoire: Between Salon, Varieté, and Big Schlager

The Herren Wunderlich primarily interpret songs from the 1920s, but they also expand their program to include Schlager from the 1940s and 1960s. Musically, they combine multi-part vocal lines with a piano part that shifts between dance hall, cabaret, and operetta flair. The arrangements – close to historical models, yet with contemporary articulation – create a mix of authenticity and fresh narration that shapes their concerts. This artistic development demonstrates expertise in composition, arrangement, and live production: precise intonation, dynamic agogics, and flexible tempos transform familiar evergreens into sparkling experiences. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Stage Presence and TV Appearances: From Kufstein to the Media

The trio has frequently performed in Tyrol and Bavaria and has been featured in programs by ORF, ARD, and Bayerischer Rundfunk. Their media presence documents how their stage presence – fine choreography, expressive gestures, and humorous announcements – makes historical songs timeless. At the folk singer revue “Brettl-Spitzen,” the three showcased their art in Munich and demonstrated that classic couplets and hit songs can shine with modern quick-wit. These performances enhance the ensemble's authority in both the regional and national cultural scenes. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Biographical Connection: Kufstein City Theater and the Heldenorgel

All three members are connected to the Kufstein City Theater; pianist and baritone Josef Hacklinger also served as an organist at the Kufstein Heldenorgel, the largest outdoor organ in the world, for many years. This rooting in the local cultural life sharpens the trio’s profile: theatrical discipline, understanding of texts, and vocal training combine to create a coherent stage identity. The connection to the Heldenorgel – a sound monument dedicated to daily midday concerts – is culturally significant and reflects the care with which the Herren Wunderlich maintain tradition. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Discography: From “Schlagerparade” to “Wunderliche Weihnacht”

The discography includes a live recording of a 1920s concert, thematic collections such as “In der Bar zum Krokodil” (20s to 40s), “Schlagerparade” (40s to 60s), and the collaboration “Happy Feet” with the Munich ballroom orchestra La Rose Rouge. Particularly notable is “Schlagerparade” (released December 3, 2007), which exemplifies the trio's signature – danceable elegance, vocal clarity. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

With “Wunderliche Weihnacht” (November 3, 2008, Tyrolis), the Herren presented a festive palette: from “Joy To The World” to “Stille Nacht,” artfully interwoven with German-language classics. The Christmas arrangements highlight the ensemble's ability to transition confidently between English-language carols, Viennese sentimentality, and German Schlager idiom. ([artistcamp.com](https://www.artistcamp.com/die-herren-wunderlich/wunderliche-weihnacht/9003549524915/index.html?utm_source=openai))

“Happy Feet” showcases the orchestral side of the trio: together with La Rose Rouge, the repertoire of the 20s and 30s takes on a wide sonic range – saxophones, strings, and drums evoke the dance floors of that era, while the trio’s vocal parts stand pointedly above the shimmer of ballroom textures. This album illustrates the production competence of the Herren Wunderlich between chamber format and grand gesture. ([music.apple.com](https://music.apple.com/ca/album/happy-feet/275571666?utm_source=openai))

Career Highlights, Anniversaries, and Collaborations in the Region

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Die Herren Wunderlich performed in Kufstein in 2018 together with the ballroom orchestra La Rose Rouge – a gala evening that fused the orchestral opulence of dance music with humorous dialogue. In 2023, they celebrated “25 Years – Die Herren Wunderlich” at the Kufstein City Hall, emphasizing their enduring bond with their audience. These anniversaries showcase the consistency of their artistic development and the quality of their program dramaturgy. ([sparkasse.at](https://www.sparkasse.at/kufstein/presseaussendungen/2018/11/08/finale-wunderlichen-kulturtage?utm_source=openai))

Even outside of the major anniversaries, the trio remains present: regional stages, varieté nights, and thematic series benefit from their dramaturgical sensitivity and comedic timing. The musicians are active in cultural associations and event series, continuously expanding their audience while also strengthening the local arts scene. ([kufstein.com](https://www.kufstein.com/en/kufstein/events/3rd-kufsteiner-variete-evening.html?utm_source=openai))

Current Projects and Performances (2024–2025): Best-of Programs and Festive Editions

In 2024, Die Herren Wunderlich presented a “Best of Wunderlich” program, compiling over 25 years of repertoire history and expanding it with festive titles during the Advent season. The focus is on Schlager classics from the 20s to the 60s, interpreted with the signature wink characteristic of the trio. This season demonstrates the long-term vitality of the ensemble, which continually refreshes its artistic imprint. ([kuhlturstall.at](https://www.kuhlturstall.at/content/produktionen/?utm_source=openai))

In media, an appearance during the folk singer revue with BR in 2024 attracted attention: with “Ich fahr mit meiner Klara in die Sahara,” the trio illustrated how historical repertoire can be modernly told in a TV format. Here it becomes clear how scenic precision, vocal balance, and timing work together to engage a million-strong audience for the sounds of the interwar period. ([br-klassik.de](https://www.br-klassik.de/video/die-herren-wunderlich-mit-klara-in-die-sahara-vii-sieben-100.html?utm_source=openai))

Music Journalistic Classification: Why This Sound Resonates Today

In a pop landscape that prioritizes streaming suitability and quick hooks, Die Herren Wunderlich impress with storytelling, articulatory discipline, and careful repertoire management. The historical embedding – from the Comedian Harmonists to operetta to early entertainment music – is not reproduced museally but transformed into contemporary stage moments. The trio format generates chamber music transparency: two tenors unfold sustainable, often parallel lines, while the piano fluctuates between danceable drive, harmonic finesse, and dramatic effects. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

The artistic development remains palpable: with increasing stage experience, the ensemble has sharpened the balance between humor and seriousness, nostalgia and relevance. The result is a stage presence that transcends mere style imitation and repositions the cultural value of the classic Schlager tradition within the concert hall. This expertise makes Die Herren Wunderlich equally relevant for festivals, theaters, and TV formats. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Cultural Influence and Audience Experience

Die Herren Wunderlich convey a cultural-historical panorama that extends far beyond music: wit, couplet tradition, and topical color are condensed in a concert format that encourages the audience to hum along, laugh, and remember. Thus, they contribute to cultural education on stage – accessible, entertaining, and stylishly aware. Their programs help preserve a repertoire that might otherwise gather dust in archives. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Especially in Tyrol and Bavaria, the response is sustainable: local reporting and sold-out anniversary concerts demonstrate that the mixture of vocal elegance and cabaret charm resonates across generations. In this role as musical narrators of past epochs, Die Herren Wunderlich possess an authority that marks them as ambassadors of historical entertainment music. ([meinbezirk.at](https://www.meinbezirk.at/kufstein/c-leute/bei-herren-wunderlich-traf-frack-auf-lederhose_a738511?utm_source=openai))

Voices of the Fans

Fan reactions clearly show: Die Herren Wunderlich captivate people worldwide. On Facebook, one attendee writes after a concert: “So much charm, wit, and singing culture – an evening like from another time!” Another comment summarizes the stage effect: “Three voices, one piano, and suddenly the dance hall of the 20s is back.” And a listener adds: “Christmas or summer – these arrangements hit straight to the heart.” ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Herren_Wunderlich))

Conclusion

Die Herren Wunderlich are a stroke of luck for German-speaking entertainment music: they combine stylistic expertise, historical knowledge, and lively stage art into concerts that reach both head and heart equally. Their discography, ranging from chamber music live recordings to grand Christmas productions, shows breadth; their media presence and anniversary evenings demonstrate relevance. Those who want to understand why Schlager, couplets, and salon music still resonate today will experience it with this trio – best live.

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