The AMBER WIND 2026 festival proudly presents an extraordinary gala concert - on May 23, the most famous Austrian brass septet "Mnozil Brass" will hold a festive performance at the Palanga Concert Hall.
The band's performances, which masterfully perform classical, jazz and other styles, intertwine music with elements of comedy and a unique Austrian sense of humor - sometimes absurd, and sometimes black to the extreme. The performers arrive in Palanga ready to celebrate and will present an anniversary program, crowning 30 years on stage.
The story of Mnozil Brass began in Vienna, right across from the Music Academy, in the Mnozil pub. In the early 1990s, seven young and cheerful brass students would gather here regularly – and of course, they would bring their instruments with them. A wide variety of pieces and songs from all over the world were arranged for their band right there: brass classics, hits, jazz and pop, opera and operetta.
The guys always played without notes, and their music soon became a favorite pastime for the inn's guests. No fears or restrictions prevented their musical experiments - with a huge dose of warmth, humor and virtuoso playing, "Mnozil Brass" enchanted the ever-growing audience. However, it was not just jokes - the music was always performed at an extremely high artistic and technical level.
The word about the successful and talented seven quickly spread, and for over 30 years, the Mnozil Brass has been giving over 100 concerts a year. The ensemble has become accustomed to filling concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Burgtheater in Vienna, the KKL in Lucerne, the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, the opera houses in Munich, Stuttgart and Wiesbaden, as well as concert halls in Leipzig, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Berlin.
Mnozil became real superstars and toured the world. Eventually, the former students became professors themselves - teachers whose sole purpose was to pass on their knowledge and experience to new, enthusiastic students through words and music.
But the fire of brass music never goes out! It burns in their hearts just as brightly as it did 30 years ago in a small Viennese tavern.
Therefore, "Mnozil Brass" continues to embark on new concert adventures and presents a grandiose brass band birthday celebration - an anniversary show!
MNOZIL BRASS members:
Thomas Gansch
Born in Melk on the Danube. One of the founders of the ensemble. At the age of 17, he was already replacing musicians at the Vienna State Opera. However, his love for jazz music was much stronger. He plays jazz, classical and everything in between. On stage, he is a unique hurricane of energy and a great comedian. In his quieter moments, he creates music for the Mnozil Brass and prepares his own projects.
Robert Rother
Also from Melk. There he and Thomas studied polkas, waltzes and marches in a brass band, which was strictly led by Thomas's father. Robert plays so emotionally that even thinking about it brings tears to his eyes. The difference from Thomas is that he hardly moves on stage, but conveys all his emotions with facial expressions.
Roman Rindberger
Born into a family of musicians, he has been playing folk music with his father and two brothers since childhood. He loves classical technical episodes, which he performs with precision like a Swiss watch. On stage, he is responsible for the role of "Latin Lover".
Leonhard Paul
From Mödling near Vienna, the first musician in his family. Lately, he has been causing quite a stir among his colleagues because he likes to play the "bad guy" on stage when everyone else wants to be the hero. What's wrong with this man?
Gerhard Fußl
He grew up near Roman, and also learned to play the wind instruments from his father. The most popular member of the ensemble, as he is responsible for the money. This makes him extremely likeable. No one wants to be angry with him, everyone is friendly to him, and he is usually friendly to others as well.
Zoltan Kiss
From Budapest. Plays trombone in four languages. The favorite game of the ensemble members is to leave difficult notes on Zoltan's desk and see if he can play them. And he can! And how!
Wilfried Brandstötter
He started his career with the flute, later sang in the choir, then played the trombone, and finally the tuba. Speed is not his thing. For him, life is a slow, wide river. His ambition is to cause pleasant vibrations in concert halls and in the bodies of listeners with the deep notes of the tuba.
