Thuringian Castle Concerts — Tango Amoratado at Hummelshain Castle

A Hunting Lodge as a Concert Hall

The New Hunting Lodge Hummelshain in the Saale-Holzland district is an architectural curiosity: built between 1885 and 1887 for Duke Ernst II of Saxe-Altenburg as a hunting residence, it is a magnificent example of eclectic Neo-Renaissance architecture. The interior decoration with stucco, wood paneling, and ceiling paintings is largely preserved. The ballroom — the Duke's former dining room — offers exceptional acoustics and an atmospheric backdrop for chamber music.

The Thuringian Castle Concerts as a Concert Series

The Thuringian Castle Concerts are a concert series that has been bringing classical and world music to historic castles, palaces, and ballrooms in Thuringia for years. The programming alternates between piano solo, chamber music, song recitals, and cross-genre projects like this tango evening. The idea: to combine extraordinary spaces with extraordinary music, away from the major concert halls of Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, or Gera.

Tango Amoratado — The Duo

Jürgen Karthe (Bandoneon) and Fabian Klentzke (Piano) founded the duo "Amoratado" with the aim of presenting the full spectrum of Argentine Tango — from the raw, passionate early forms of the 1900s through the golden tango era of the 1920s-1940s to the modern Tango Nuevo of Astor Piazzolla. Karthe is an experienced bandoneonist with experience in renowned tango ensembles, while Klentzke combines classical piano playing with improvisational joy.

Claudia Schwarze — Guest Cellist

For the evening in Hummelshain, the duo is joined by cellist Claudia Schwarze. She enriches the sound with the richly colored string sounds of the Argentine tango tradition — the cello played an important role in the large tango ensembles of the 1940s, from Aníbal Troilo to Osvaldo Pugliese.

Repertoire — from Arolas to Troilo

The program spans a wide range: early tangos by Eduardo Arolas, who brought Argentine Tango from brothel music into concert halls; works by Francisco Canaro, who made Tango internationally popular; the famous pieces by Astor Piazzolla ("Libertango," "Adios Nonino," "Oblivion"), who defined Tango Nuevo; as well as compositions by Aníbal Troilo, "Bandoneon-Pichuco," one of the most influential bandoneonists in history.

A Rare Opportunity

The New Hunting Lodge Hummelshain is rarely accessible to the public — regular tours are infrequent, and the castle is partly undergoing restoration. The Friends of Hummelshain Castle association is committed to its preservation and uses concerts like this tango evening to generate awareness and donations for the ongoing repairs.