The Nuremberg Accordion Orchestra mourns the passing of conductor, composer and accordionist Fritz Dobler (1927-2024).
September 21st 2024
Harley Jones
In 1954, Fritz Dobler won the Coupe Mondiale (solo) international competition held in Stuttgart, Germany and was important as a soloist throughout Europe as well as being famous during the 1950’s and for many decades later, for conducting the hugely respected Nuremberg Accordion Orchestra during the period when German accordion orchestras were enormously popular with over 3,500 accordion orchestras in Germany.
Nuremberg is the second-largest city in the German state of Bavaria, and the 14th-largest city in Germany. Fritz Dobler composed over many years, works for accordion orchestra plus many accordion orchestra arrangements.
Fritz Dobler was also, for many years an important executive member of the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV).
Website of Fritz Dobler https://fritzdobler.de/
Werziade I composed by Fritz Dobler was performed by the CIA World Accordion Orchestra IV at the Coupe Mondiale 2007 under the Musical Direction of Joan C. Sommers. Werziade I, although the World Premiere was in 1972, the history of this piece already had its beginnings in 1961 at an International Competition in Stuttgart, Germany. The youth accordion-orchestra “Solitude” from Stuttgart-Weilimdorf with conductor Heinz Oettinger competed in the category ‘Excellence’ and attained 1st Prize. The President of the Jury was Fritz Dobler.
https://www.accordions.com/innsbruck/2013/index.htm Report on accordions.com of the 2013 11th World Music Festival in Innsbruck.
DHVev President Fritz Dobler conducted “Das Bundesakkordeonorchester” (German National Accordion Orchestra) that was made up of well known accordion teachers. Dobler is pictured above waiting to go on stage, with the excellent young percussionist of the orchestra, standing nearby. Program included: Introduction und Toccata by Fritz Dobler, Adagio (2012) by Stefan Hipper (written in memorial to honor the wife of Fritz Dobler).
In 2016, the Nürnberger Akkordeonorchester celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a number of outstanding concerts. The final highlight was a double concert evening on Saturday 3rd December. View the report at: https://accordions.com/nuernberg/
