The Max Mueller Bhavan (MMB) hosted the closing party for the 10th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2012 and what made every one stand up and take notice was the top dog brass band from Dresden, specially flown down to perform for the festival closing.
It was a real treat for the people attending the festival.
"This is our way of showcasing some part of German culture. The brass bands are very popular in Germany and this one is a unique band.
This band plays funk with jazz and has been enthralling audiences and making them dance throughout the world," explained Michael Flucht, Director Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan.
It is an eight-member band carrying instruments like snare drum, vase drum, sousaphone, two saxophones, one trumpet and two trombones, thus making music as they travel and they sing too!
To describe them will be difficult but their music creates a niche of its own. The sound is multifaceted and the players are spectacular to watch them perform. They call themselves "The funky marching band from Eastern Germany", come from Dresden, and are definitely some of the coolest musicians that Europe has to offer.
The brass band tradition in India is now held only for big budget weddings but the top dog brass band is unlike any Indian brass band. They have added contemporary and funky elements to the repertoire, inspiring the new generation. "When I was a kid, my father once said to me that he would love to have a brass band play for his funeral. That really made an impression on me because I couldn't imagine that my father would ever die. But since then, I've had an ear for these kind of bands, and I knew that somehow I would grant my father his wish," recalls Matthias Peuker, leader of the band.
"It was a pleasure to play for people who smile a lot and there is no need to understand music to enjoy it thoroughly.
All we want is for people to put up their dancing shoes and enjoy the music that we play," adds Peukar.

--Prachi Bari