The Tyrol Talent Show
We rounded out our cultural program in Innsbruck with a concert of local folk music, song, and dance. I was originally skeptical, thinking it would be over-the-top kitschy. And it was, more than I could have imagined, but it was also a glorious exhibition of musical ingenuity.
Although it had a hobbyist, samodeitelnost’ air to it, everyone seemed passionate about their art. And also strikingly versatile, as some participants played three, four, or even more instruments (even if some of those were axes and bells). This particular fellow was a true alternative musical instrument savant, often ditching his guitar for an array of other music producing devices. Singing saw anyone? Iit’s a thing!
These excerpts will give a sense of the show, though you really had to be there. See if you can hear the harp in any of them (she was trying so hard the whole show, bless her heart, giving rise to the expression “like a harp in a brass band”).
There was also a lot of this butt slapping
But it did not prepare us for this most awkward competition over female affection ever —
And, of course, you can’t have a Alpine music performance without a yodel bit
In the end, they really went out with a bang!
P.S. They did signal us to cover our ears first, but hey, holding the phone while taking a video gets priority! Ouch.
P.P.S. When you leave a concert and then attempt to recreate your own version of it on the street, walking home… say, when you try to yodel really loud… consider whether the actual yodeling performer might be walking right behind you. Hopefully, like ours, she tells you that you actually did a decent job!
