Bandonion & Concertina Factory
Generous steps lead up to an inconspicuous entrance door of a multi-storey building. The wide stone slabs breathe history, for reed instrument making has existed in this building for more than a century. Today, the bandonion and concertina factory Klingenthal GmbH manufactures master instruments under the brand name "Alfred Arnold", which are played and appreciated all over the world. The bandonion factory was newly founded in 2002 by Anja Rockstroh. She has made it her mission to preserve the bandoneon in the world of music and, above all, to bring it back into the conversation in Germany. Many years of research and development were necessary to bring the high quality and unique sound of the antique Alfred Arnold instruments into the new age. In the meantime, the manufactory offers a wide range of noble instruments that are made purely by hand. From cutting the goatskin for the bellows to making the reedplates and inlaying fine mother-of-pearl inlays, everything is adapted to individual customer wishes. Each instrument is therefore unique. Among them are the 142-tone instruments for the Argentine tango, which are now sold all over the world. The tonal variety of such a 142-tone instrument is also built in smaller dimensions for children in the bandonion factory. It is a decisive step for the future of the instrument. For decades, the bandoneon has had a problem with young musicians; there is a lack of teachers and curricula with which to pass on the knowledge of playing the bandoneon. Anja Rockstroh wants to change that. In the last few years, she has been able to build a large network all over the world from Klingenthal. The company now works with universities, conservatories, associations and soloists in many countries. Among other things, this has already resulted in two pedagogical textbooks in several languages. The support of the specially founded association Bandonion4Friends.de has also been able to initiate many new projects with children and schools in the last two years. These should help secure the future of the bandoneon. XB
2022
Special issue „Klingenthal Magazine“
170 years of accordions from Klingenthal
1852-2022
In 2022 Klingenthal celebrates a special anniversary, which should more correctly be called "170 years of making reed instruments". The hand-pulled instruments belonging to the reed instruments include concertinas, bandoneons and accordions as well as all other kinds of "accordions".
In this themed issue, author Xenia Brunner takes a look at this industry in the music town of Klingenthal on the occasion of the anniversary year, and thus of course also at the Bandonion & Centcertinafabrik Klingenthal.
English Translation
Generous steps lead up to an inconspicuous entrance door of a multi-storey building. The wide stone slabs breathe history, for reed instrument making has existed in this building for more than a century. Today, the bandonion and concertina factory Klingenthal GmbH manufactures master instruments under the brand name "Alfred Arnold", which are played and appreciated all over the world. The bandonion factory was newly founded in 2002 by Anja Rockstroh. She has made it her mission to preserve the bandoneon in the world of music and, above all, to bring it back into the conversation in Germany. Many years of research and development were necessary to bring the high quality and unique sound of the antique Alfred Arnold instruments into the new age. In the meantime, the manufactory offers a wide range of noble instruments that are made purely by hand. From cutting the goatskin for the bellows to making the reedplates and inlaying fine mother-of-pearl inlays, everything is adapted to individual customer wishes. Each instrument is therefore unique. Among them are the 142-tone instruments for the Argentine tango, which are now sold all over the world. The tonal variety of such a 142-tone instrument is also built in smaller dimensions for children in the bandonion factory. It is a decisive step for the future of the instrument. For decades, the bandoneon has had a problem with young musicians; there is a lack of teachers and curricula with which to pass on the knowledge of playing the bandoneon. Anja Rockstroh wants to change that. In the last few years, she has been able to build a large network all over the world from Klingenthal. The company now works with universities, conservatories, associations and soloists in many countries. Among other things, this has already resulted in two pedagogical textbooks in several languages. The support of the specially founded association Bandonion4Friends.de has also been able to initiate many new projects with children and schools in the last two years. These should help secure the future of the bandoneon.