Roland Neuwirth Turns 75: The Reformer of the Wienerlied

He wrote more than 300 songs for duo and Schrammel ensembles, as well as dances, waltzes, and new sounds, some orchestral works, theater, film, and radio play music. On October 31, Neuwirth will turn 75 years old. As part of the Strauss Year, he will premiere his waltz symphony "Scho laa, fü's au!" on November 27 at the Museumsquartier (Halle E).

Neuwirth's parents - his mother taught at a special school, his father was a painter, sculptor, and later also a restorer - created a relaxed, artistically stimulating atmosphere through house music and a humorous approach. The artistic career started very early for the son born in 1950. Already at the age of seven, the artist born in Vienna wrote his first poem - with a positive content, as emphasized in his resume. Later, he turned to music. In 1964, he performed publicly for the first time at the Wurstelprater with a "self-made" electric guitar. At that time, he earned his living as a typesetter in a funeral card printing shop.

To the Schrammels came the Extreme

After guest performances with various bands, Neuwirth studied at the Music Academy, and in 1974 he founded the Neuwirth Schrammeln. "10 Viennese Songs and 1 Athlete's Foot Blues" was the name of the group's first record (1977). In 1983, Neuwirth changed his sound: With the third LP "extrem," the Schrammels became the Extremschrammeln, the fusion of the classical Viennese song with rock, funk, and blues elements was born. More records followed, Neuwirth also wrote orchestral works, the radio play "Hunds (A Barking Operetta)" and TV music ("Tatort").

Neuwirth became known to a very wide audience through his guest appearance in the TV series "Kaisermühlenblues": "It brought me a lot," was the summary of the Extremschrammler. And the master once commented on the quantity of his compositions with the words: "I can't even remember some things myself." He is connected to music not only as a performer but also repeatedly appears as a teacher at the Vienna Music University or as a guest lecturer at schools. In 1999, he published a book about "The Viennese Song" with Zsolnay Publishing.

Roland Neuwirth: Return to the Stage

In 2015, Neuwirth and the Extremschrammeln celebrated their 40th anniversary. With the album "Des End vom Liad" (2015) and the announcement of a farewell tour in 2016, they announced their dissolution. For health reasons, Neuwirth paused for some time and celebrated his return to the stage in 2019, together with the "radio.string.quartet". In 2020, the quartet and Neuwirth released the album "Erd'" and have since continued to perform concerts together.

That Neuwirth is considered a significant representative of the Viennese song is also shown by the numerous honors he has received, including the Special Prize of the City of Vienna in 1984, the Nestroy Ring in 1994, and the Silver Medal of Honor of the City of Vienna in 2002. In 2012, he received the Culture Prize of the State of Lower Austria in the category of music, two years earlier the Grand Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Lower Austria, and finally in 2017 the Prize of the City of Vienna for Music.

(APA/Red)

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