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Folk music legend Michael Eberwein dies: Au mourns the maestro
Michael Eberwein, important Bavarian folk musician and leader of the Dellnhauser Musikanten, has died at the age of 62.
Folk music legend Michael Eberwein dies: Au mourns the maestro
A deep silence falls over Dellnhausen as the community mourns Michael Eberwein, the long-time leader of the Dellnhauser Musicians. He died at the age of 62 after a serious illness. Eberwein not only leaves behind a family, but also a loyal fan base who valued him for his extraordinary commitment to folk music. The leader of the Dellnhauser Musikanten was taken from us on Sunday night, shortly after his 62nd birthday.
Born in Dellnhausen in 1962, Eberwein grew up in a musical family. His father founded the Dellnhauser Musikanten in 1979, and at the age of 16, Michael followed in his ancestors' footsteps as a trumpeter. After studying with Gerd Zapf, the chamber virtuoso of the Bavarian State Opera, he took over the direction of the orchestra in 1990. During this time he formed the group into one of the best-known representatives of Bavarian folk music, performing in countries such as Austria, Italy, and even Japan and the USA.
Important milestones in his career
Under Eberwein's direction, the ensemble has recorded more than 200 titles for Bayerischer Rundfunk and produced 24 recordings. Eberwein also initiated the Dellnhauser Folk Music Festival in 2004, which regularly attracts around 25,000 visitors. Unfortunately, this year's event had to be canceled. Eberwein’s commitment to folk music extended beyond the stage; He also founded the dance orchestra “EM Zwo”, which revives the tradition with fresh sounds.
His musical achievements did not go unnoticed. Eberwein has been awarded numerous prizes, including the Freising District Culture Prize and the Federal Cross of Merit. But his heart also beat for politics: from 2002 to 2008 he was a member of the Au market council and in 2002 he ran as a mayoral candidate for the CSU, even though he was not successful.
A lasting legacy
One of the last major performances by the Dellnhauser musicians took place on May 25th on Bavarian television on “Wirtshausmusikanten”. The sadness over Eberwein's loss is felt not only in the family, but also in the entire region. His wife Gerti and their two sons, Michael and Maximilian, remain only with memories and a tireless passion for folk music.
The importance of folk music in Bavaria cannot be denied, as the diversity at events shows. For example, the Hofbräuhaus offers lively dancing, or the Kocherlball in Munich attracts visitors with historical dances. Eberwein's work has helped ensure that folk music and folk dance are not forgotten, but rather remain highly popular. A visit to the Folk Music Day in the Bad Windsheim Open Air Museum on June 29, 2025 could be an opportunity to properly honor his legacy.
Michael Eberwein's death is a bitter loss for the Bavarian music scene, but his influence and passion will always live on. The community will remember him fondly and honor his commitment to folk music.
For more information about the life and activities of the Dellnhausen musicians as well as the diversity of Bavarian folk culture, you can read the articles on Mercury and South Germans read up on the Bavarian folk music events Experience Bavaria discover.