1938 to 2022



Adolf Götz (Germany) passed away on December 21st, 2022. This is a CV provided shortly after his retirement in 1999..

THE STORY ABOUT ADOLF GÖTZ

Born on 11th December 1938, he is a "Sagittarian". Hence, his basic characteristics are diligence, perseverance and determination. However, Adolf Götz does not think much of such astrological guidelines. Born as the third son (not a girl as usual!) of a private music teacher burdened with a lot of financial worries during the ordeals of the war and post-war years, he was rather a cheeky scamp and certainly not a model pupil. His two older brothers were just too talented: The eldest was a musician a sense of perfect pitch who had a widely renowned musical abilöity for playing by memory, while the other was a much acclaimed artist and painter. This led to frustration on his part and did not present him with an example worth following, especially since everything he learnt at school and during private music-making seemed to involve an amount of exertion on his part.

Therefore, even if these previously outlined characteristics are present, they are not to much avail, if not fostered or put to use voluntarily. This situation only changed when he had to help in the shop at 14 when his father fell seriously ill. His father died in 1955, leaving a music shop with pupils.

Numerous human encounters, both positive and negative, moulded his character during these years. He suddenly began to appreciate his "austere" music teacher who had only demanded best results, showing him at the same time that success could be achieved through a high degree of expertise. Since then, Adolf Götz has only known a 16 to 18 hour day. Such concepts as culture, art, education or music have also become indefinite notions for him.

In his view, there is no clear definition between positive and negative educational forms and their respective consequences. Especially in recent times, not enough thought has been given to the consequences of playing or listening to negative music.

Hence, Bernstein´s remark: "There is only good and bad music" is inadequate as it does not deal with the consequences of bad music. He does not take the saying at face value: "Always think poitively! Negative things always happen anyway!" He claims: Negative aspects and their consquences should be contemplated exactly beforehand in order to be eliminated in the long run. Only then can a positive experience bring pleasure.

Thoughts like these can be directly asosociated with Adolf Götz' music. His music cannot be regarded as pure writing-desk material or dry theory although he is indeed a master at both. His music automatically arouses positive feelings and stimuli in active musicians and passive listeners alike. He was the most played composer for the third time running this year at the demanding International Accordion Festival in Innsbruck, which is held every three years.

He maintains that his success is based on his theory that being able to master all conventional musical methods is just as important as remaining open for all innovative elements. However, one must carefully consider what is suitable for complimenting and enriching traditional music especially on the sector of "new art". An intensive interest in all types of new music is also a prerequisite for this sort of judgement.

Therefor, Adolf Götz refused to adapt his music to local circumstances but wanted his creative work to encompass the whole of Europe. This was to the great dismay of his Hersbruck accordeon orchestra whom he had taken over in 1956 after his father´s death. In over 200 performances in nearly every European country, he had formed an excellent orchestra from these players who had won top awards in numerous contests, only to be handed over to his musical successor in 1992.

Little understanding was shown initially. Too many demands were being made of this versatile authority: Most of his weekends were taken up with orchestral training events, seminars at conservatories between Rendsburg and Basel, training teachers to conduct music cources for senior citizens as well as his position as a juror at contests (this year at the contest in Nijmwegen in Holland for orchestras selected from orchetras or brass, plucked and accordion instruments).

In addition to this, Adolf Götz wrote a modern guide with a complimentary CD for teaching the accordeon, along with a specialist book on pedagogics and psychology applicable in adult education.

Adolf Götz has long given up acknowledging or counting how often his musical work has been performned. He does not even know all the CDs recorded of his work. The Association for the Protection of Musical Rights (GEMA) sometimes notifies him of performances that have been conducted in Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand or North America.

In the meantime, he has been given all the awards that the German Harmonica Association (DHV) has to offer: From the Conducter´s Golden Award to the Rudolf-Würthner Medal. He has been the successive winner at international composition contests. He has already witnessed two performances of his artistic work at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He has been given two awards by Giscard dÉstaing, the French Secretary of State and also possesses the Honorary Citizen´s Medal of the Town of Siavonski in Croatia.

Adolf Götz was further awarded the Order of Merit by Roman Herzog, the German President in 1996.

Adolf Götz went into early, well-earned retirement in september 1998 after 36 seccessful years as a specialist teacher for music and handicrafts at the junior high school in Hersbruck. His numerous appearances with the school wind section and female choir of 120, together with the Hersbruck accordeon orchestra, will long remain unforgotten for many of his listeners.

For exampla, the repeated performances of Orff´s "Weihnachtsgeschichte", Paul Burckhard´s "Zeller Weihnacht", the huge spectacle on the Federal Railway 150th anniversary with 1500 guests or several international youth music venues. Adolf Götz finally coordinated the Bavarian Accordeon Competitions in Hersbruck in 1976 and arranged an impressive festive evening. One would really think that he had no time for hobbies. Yet Adolf Götz draws new strength for his unremitting work in the tranquillity of Nature itself, during walks alone or while climbing the high peaks of Alpne mauntains. In winter or in summer, on Skis or in climbing gear, he always prefers valleys and peaks unfamiliar to him. He could also be found this year not only amongst icy Swiss peaks on the European footpath on his way from Grächen to Zermatt, but also on steep dizzying ascents in the Dolomites.

His wife, Eva-Maria, is much more than a partner in life for him, she is an indispensable comrade accompanying him though all the problems, during musical happenings or on his numerous mountain hikes. She can also tell us a thing or two about diligence and tenacity. She, too, will be celebrating her 60th birthday twenty-four days later and both partners will have been married for 40 years at the end of 1999.

List of Works
 
1. Pieces for Accordion Orchestra:
„British Friends“ (Friends forever) Marsch
„Dalmatinische Tänze“ 4 Sätze
„Das große Derby“ Suite in 4 Sätzen
„Die drei Musketiere“ 4 Sätze
„Festliche Ouvertüre“ Ouvertüre
„Französische Skizzen“ 4 Sätze
„Frische Brise“ Polka
„Harlekinaden“ Drei burleske Tänze
„Im Spielzeugladen“ Suite in 5 Sätzen
„Italienische Villanesken“ nach ital. Liedern
„Intercity“ eine rhythm. Impression
„Jubilee-March“ Marsch
„Kleine Summerei über ein Bienenlied“ Variat. „Sum, sum sum“
„Marionetten“ Eine Märchensuite
„Musica Festiva“ Festliche Musik
„Ouverture furiant“ Ouvertüre
„Rhapsodia Andalusia“ Spanische Impressionen
„Schwabenstreiche“ 7 Inspirationen
„Slavonska Rhapsodija“ Slawonische Rhapsodie
„Time for school“ Eine rhythmische Suite
„Über Land und Meer“ Suite in 5 Sätzen
„Videbum“ Spielmusik
„Vigolino“ Musikal. Spielereien
„Zehn kleine Orchesterstücke“ nach „10 kleine Negerlein“
„Zirkus – Zirkus“ Suite in 4 Sätzen
"Abrakadabra" Vier musikalische Zaubereien
Episodes
2. Arrangements For Accordion Orchestra:
„Hessentänze“ von Curt Mahr 4 Sätze
„Lieder der Berge“ (auch mit Chor) Bekannte Bergsteigerlieder
„Kontraste“ von Hermann Illenberger 2 Sätze
„II. Satz – Largo“ a. d. Symph. Nr. 9 v. A. Dvorak (Aus der neuen Welt)
„Trompeten-Suite“ a. d. Wassermusik v. Händel 5 Sätze
„Slawischer Tanz Nr. 1“ von Antonin Dvorak C-Dur
„Ruslan und Lyudmilla“ von Mikhail Glinka Ouvertüre
„So klingts im schönen Bayernland“ Bekannte Lieder und Tänze
„Zwischen Don und Wolga“ Russische Lieder und Tänze
„Tanz der Jugend“ von Tihomil Vidosic Musik aus dem Balkan
"Die verkaufte Braut"
Bedrich Smetana
Pieces For Accordion Orchestra And Mens Choir:
„Lieder der Berge“  
„Zwischen Don und Wolga“  
   
Pieces For Accordion Orchestra And Mixed Choir:
„Lieder der Berge“  
„Europäische Abendlieder – Kantate“ 4 Sätze
„Hymne an Deutschland“ Triptychon
„Zwei sinfonische Lieder“ H. Hesse und R. Biermann
   
Pieces For Accordion Orchestra and Womens Choir:
„Fränkische Handwerksleut“ Kantate in 5 Sätzen
   
Pieces For Accordion Solo:  
„Akkordeon Spielen“ Moderne Schule mit CD
„Go on“ Spielstücke
„Der neue Klang“ Band II, III und IV Hits im modernen Sound
„Tango Tango“ neue Tangos
„Lieder für Alle“ Bekannte Melodien
   
Pieces For Accordion And Other Instruments:
„Lieder zur Weihnacht“ Bekannte Weihnachtslieder
„Lieder für Alle“ Ausgabe für Gitarre
„Das große Electronium-Spielbuch“ Unterrichtswerk

Contact Details:

Adolf Götz
Röhrenstraße 8
Hersbruck 91217
Germany

Phone/Fax: +49 9151 5921
Email: Guenther.Stoll@t-online.de

This Internet site is a Birthday Present for Adolf Götz for his 60th birthday from the Harmonika Club Nufringen and their director Günther Stoll.

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