Mourning for Michael Eberwein: folk music legend from Dellnhausen dies

Mourning for Michael Eberwein: folk music legend from Dellnhausen dies

On Sunday, June 18, 2025, Michael Eberwein, a prominent representative of Bavarian folk music, died at the age of 62 after a long, difficult illness. His family, consisting of his wife Gerti and their two sons Michael and Maximilian, are left in deep mourning. Since 1979, Eberwein has been an integral part of the Dellnhauser Musikanten, a group that his father founded in 1948. Under his leadership, which began 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 into his group. The Dellnhauser musicians have recorded over 200 titles for Bayerischer Rundfunk and released 24 recordings. Their joint work took them 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 is testament to the widespread recognition it enjoyed at home and abroad.

A great legacy

The Dellnhauser musicians are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. For this special occasion, a recording for the series “Musi und Gsang im Wirtshaus” was filmed in the large hall of the Hörger Tafernwirtschaft in Hohenbercha. Bavarian Television was there 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 presenter Markus Tremmel. The audience was enthusiastic and in exceptionally good spirits as the group performed both traditional Bavarian folk music and informative discussions.

Michael Eberwein's achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Freising District Culture Prize, various folk music prizes and the Federal Cross of Merit. Particularly noteworthy is the Bavarian Culture Prize, which he received in 2019. He also founded the Dellnhauser Folk Music Festival in 2004, which now attracts around 25,000 visitors every year and keeps regional culture alive.

Political commitment

Eberwein was not only active in the music scene, but was also politically active. In 2002 he ran as a mayoral candidate for the CSU in Au and worked on the Au market council from 2002 to 2008. He also most recently held a position as head of the citizens' office and election officer for the city of Freising. This versatility made him an important figure in the community.

The term “folk music” is usually understood by the general public as a collective term for the music of the simple population. 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 influenced by traditional instruments such as the dulcimer, violin and zither, and it finds expression in celebratory occasions and social gatherings. In this way it develops not only as a pure form of music, but as an important part of the community culture in Bavaria, as is impressively summarized in the historical lexicon of Bavaria.

Michael Eberwein's death leaves a void in the landscape of Bavarian folk music, but his legacy will live on through the Dellnhauser musicians and the events he initiated. The mourning for him will remain noticeable in the region through the lively participation in the Dellnhauser folk music festival and the music that he shaped.