Grief for Michael Eberwein: Folk music legend from Dellnhausen died

Grief for Michael Eberwein: Folk music legend from Dellnhausen died

On Sunday, June 18, 2025, Michael Eberwein, a prominent representative of Bavarian folk music, died after a long, serious course of illness at the age of 62. His family, consisting of his wife Gerti and the two sons Michael and Maximilian, remains in deep grief. Eberwein has been an integral part of the Dellnhaus musicians, a group that started his father in 1948. Under his leadership, which started in 1990, the band developed into an integral part of the folk music scene in Bavaria and beyond.

Michael Eberwein was known for his unique style and the joy of playing that he breathed in to his group. The Dellnhaus musicians recorded over 200 titles for Bayerische Rundfunk and published 24 sound carriers. Her joint work led her not only through Germany, but also to countries such as Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Indonesia, Japan, China, India and the USA. The group's considerable legacy testifies to the broad recognition that they enjoyed at home and abroad.

a big heir

The Dellnhaus musicians are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. On this special occasion, a recording for the series "Musi and Gsang in the tavern" was shot in the large hall of the Hörger tagerbung in Hohenbercha. Bavarian television was on site with several cameramen and employees to capture the performances. Michael and his sister Marlene Eberwein led the musicians and made themselves available for discussions with BR moderator Markus Tremmel. The audience was enthusiastic and exceptionally in a good mood when the group offered both traditional Bavarian folk music and informative discussion rounds.

The services of Michael Eberwein were recognized with numerous awards, including the Cultural Prize of the Freising district, various folk music prices and the Federal Cross of Merit. The Bavarian Culture Prize, which he received in 2019, is particularly noteworthy. He also founded the Dellnhauser Volksmusikfest in 2004, which now attracts around 25,000 visitors every year and keeps the regional culture alive.

political commitment

Eberwein was not only active in the music scene, but also had a political commitment. In 2002 he started as a candidate for mayor for the CSU in Au and worked from 2002 to 2008 in the market council of Au. In addition, he recently held a position as head of the citizens' office and election manager at the city of Freising. This versatility made him an important figure in the community.

The term "folk music" is usually understood as a collective concept for the music of the simple population in the general public. Historically, the use of the term goes back to the 18th century and reflects the cultural peculiarities in the songs. Bavarian folk music is strongly shaped by traditional instruments such as wood board, violin and zither, and it finds its expression on solemn occasions and social gatherings. So it not only unfolds as a pure music form, but as an important part of community culture in Bavaria, as in the Historical Lexicon Bavaria impressively summarized.

Michael Eberwein's death leaves a gap in the landscape of Bavarian folk music, but his inheritance will live on through the Dellnhaus musicians and the events he initiated. The grief for him will remain noticeable in the region by the lively participation in the Dellnhauser Volksmusikfest and the music that he shaped.