The Rudolstadt Festival, one of the most important stages for folk and world music in Europe, captivates thousands every year. Between the numerous concerts, dance events and sessions, you can feel the magic of the music pulsating in every corner of Rudolstadt’s old town. But for someone like Jonas Böttcher, the owner of Verlag der Spielleute, it’s about more than just listening to music. For him, the festival is an indispensable source of inspiration – and a place where the connection between the past and present of traditional music becomes tangible.
Diversity and inspiration: the Rudolstadt Festival as a musical treasure trove
“The Rudolstadt Festival has a fantastic music editorial team,” enthuses Jonas when we sit down with him to talk about his impressions of the festival. “Every year you discover new artists, new styles – from traditional music to folk music to world music and even influences from pop. This diversity not only enriches me personally, but also the work we do at the Spielleute publishing house.” The musical melange that can be found on the festival’s many stages is a huge source of inspiration for the publishing house, which has been promoting traditional music and instruments since 1988.
Carrying tradition into the future: the aims of the Spielleute publishing house
The Spielleute publishing house has a very special significance for Jonas Böttcher – not only as a business owner, but also as someone who got into music himself through the publisher’s materials. “I learned to play the medieval bagpipes from one of the publisher’s textbooks,” he says. Today, after many years of experience in the bal folk scene and with drone instruments, Jonas sees the publishing house as an important platform for passing on this valuable culture. “It’s a precious and valuable culture that I want to pass on to young people. In addition to books, traditional music must also be made accessible via new media in order to transport it into the present day.” This is exactly what Jonas has set himself with the Spielleute publishing house: To carry on the tradition of drone music and keep it alive for the next generation
Challenges in a digital world
But as much as the festival is a stage for discoveries, it is also a place for reflection. Jonas talks about the challenges he faces as a publisher in an increasingly digital world. “The classic book publisher is having a hard time these days,” he admits openly. Nevertheless, he firmly believes in the value of physical media, especially in the traditional music scene. “Many of our customers still prefer printed teaching material and music books that they can play straight from the music stand. But the younger generation don’t know CDs anymore – they want to access content online.” This observation inspired Jonas to create a media library for the Spielleute publishing house, in which sheet music and audio files are available digitally. “QR codes in the books allow users to access them directly with their smartphone,” he explains, outlining the balancing act he has to master between the generations and their different media uses.
The deep connection to traditional instruments
Amidst all these challenges, the love of music – and the instruments that carry it – remains at the heart of Jonas’ work. He is particularly fond of the shepherd’s pipe, a German bagpipe, and the Irish flute. “The shepherd’s pipe is a beautiful instrument made by Matthias Branschke from Berlin,” he says with shining eyes. “It has a deep chanter that is perfect for dance music. For me, this instrument reflects the depth and beauty of traditional music.” When Jonas talks about his instruments, you immediately realize that he is not only interested in the sound, but also in the history and culture that resonate in every single note.
Dancing as relaxation: switch off in the dance tent
And what do you do when a day full of music at a festival like the one in Rudolstadt comes to an end? Jonas has a clear answer: “I go to the dance tent and dance a mazurka or an andro.” In the midst of all the work and commitments, dancing remains a moment of relaxation and joy for him. It’s the perfect end to an intense day at the festival.
The importance of collaboration in the music scene
A central theme for Jonas – and for the Spielleute publishing house – is collaboration with other musicians. “Collaborations with artists from the folk and traditional music scene are essential,” emphasizes Jonas. They are the driving force behind new topics, new books and new teaching materials. This networking ensures that the publishing house not only preserves old traditions, but also provides new impetus and further develops the scene. “Young people in particular benefit from receiving authentic stimuli and discovering new ways to connect with music,” says Jonas.
Tradition in motion
The Rudolstadt Festival therefore not only offers Jonas Böttcher musical experiences, but is also a platform for exchanging ideas and developing his work as a publisher. The challenges may be great, but his enthusiasm for music and its ability to connect people is just as great. With projects such as the new media library and the numerous collaborations, Jonas shows that tradition does not mean standing still – on the contrary: it is alive and constantly evolving.
What is your opinion?
We would love to hear from you! What does traditional music mean to you? What challenges do you see in the music scene? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss the future of folk music together!