La banda
LA BANDA
The Italian brass-band Schipa-d'Ascoli
The age-old tradition of the "banda" in Southern Italy is just as alive today as it was 100 years ago. The "bande" are groups of 40 to 50 musicians who travel through the villages of Puglia, Calabria or Sicily between Carnival and All Saints' Day, playing almost without a break: from early morning until late at night they give concerts or accompany the processions in honour of the patron saint of the village. With their mixed repertoire of opera and folk music and a unique sound, they win over people's hearts again and again ...
No one can say for how much longer. Many believe that the tradition of the travelling brass bands of Southern Italy will soon disappear. This film follows the brass band Banda Schipa d'Ascoli, also known as "Banda di Lecce", in its demanding work. The Maestro Geraldo Garofalo conducts.
Press release on the ZDF broadcast of the 28-minute film on 20 October 2002, Treffpunkt Musik:
"From films we know the somewhat quirky, not always pleasant sounds of Italian brass bands, which remind us of circus music. The curious and successful mixture of comedy and seriousness, of joie de vivre and tradition, of folk, opera and church music is what makes them so appealing. The 'bande', as these bands of the Italian provinces are called, are for many people far more than a ragtag village ensemble of amateur musicians - for many they are the only way to come into contact with music at all. The film wanders with such 'bande' and captures the colours and joyful entirety of rural life."
The film is available for 4 € (online streaming, no download). After purchase you will get immediate access to the film.
ITALY, 28', DV Cam, colour
Production: Brintrup / LICHTSPIEL ENTERTAINMENT / ZDF
