The dancing bear – Volume 2

Author:inside

Dieter Rurländer

Dieter Rurländer, a passionate accordionist, lives by the motto: “Life without the accordion is possible, but not very meaningful.” Inspired by Loriot, Dieter has been perfecting the art of the diatonic accordion for over 18 years. His talent and dedication bring him to a variety of events – from balfolks and festivals to private parties and vernissages. But what he appreciates most are the regular dance meetings at the “Balhaus Stuttgart”.

For Dieter, the focus is not on technical perfection, but on awakening joy and the desire to dance. His repertoire includes a varied selection of dance tunes that range geographically from Sweden to the Basque Country and from Brittany to Austria. Dieter’s passion is not limited to playing; he is also an experienced dancer and dance teacher. He has been dancing actively for around 30 years and shares his experience and knowledge in dance courses, including at the Balhaus Stuttgart and in Gennetines, France.

In addition to his solo performances, Dieter also enjoys performing in the group “Vive la Danse”. He is available for performances, whether alone or with his group, for balfolks and other celebrations of all kinds, and also offers dance classes. Dieter’s commitment and his ability to dream with his legs make him an indispensable artist in the world of traditional music and dance.

Gert Dannemann

Gert Dannemann, born on March 26, 1942 and sadly passed away on April 2, 2023, was an outstanding personality in the world of medieval and traditional music in Germany. As a member of the group “SPIELLEUT” and co-founder of the “Verlag der Spielleute”, he has made a significant contribution to the dissemination and cultivation of these musical genres.

The group SPIELLEUT, in which Gert Dannemann played a central role, had been in existence since 1977 and was characterized by its interpretation of traditional minstrel music. The band played on replicas of historical instruments and not only pursued an authentic performance practice, but also oriented itself to its own taste and ability. The aim of their performances was to bring the roots of German folk music closer to the audience and to enable a comparison with commercial folk music.

One of the most significant achievements of Gert Dannemann and the SPIELLEUT group was the founding of the “Verlag der Spielleute”. This publishing house published music books and recordings, giving other groups the opportunity to present their music. They placed particular emphasis on the quality of the releases and selected productions according to musical quality and concept.

The group SPIELLEUT was a pioneer in the dissemination of medieval-inspired music in Germany, and they started back in the 70s during the folk revival. They contributed significantly to the development of the medieval scene by presenting old songs in a modern way. Its members had diverse influences and developed their skills and repertoire over the years. They were open to different styles in the medieval scene and appreciated the variety of musical experiments.

The group SPIELLEUT emphasized the importance of music events where real medieval music was presented in an appropriate setting. They found that it was a challenge to perform authentic medieval music, as today’s listening habits are different, and some groups played music that was more akin to Renaissance music and was seen as a ‘show’.

Gert Dannemann and the group SPIELLEUT left a lasting mark on the medieval scene and helped to make traditional music accessible to a wider audience. Although the group decided to stop performing in 2006 after 29 years, their legacy and music remains alive in the hearts of those who attended their concerts and were inspired by their passion for traditional and medieval music. Gert Dannemann and the SPIELLEUT will forever remain unforgotten in the history of the German music scene.