Mnozil Brass has a cult following in Europe, but this Austrian septet seems to have flown under the radar in the U.S., never achieving the kind of rabid following they currently enjoy in German-speaking countries.
The group is hoping to change that by embarking on a highly-publicized 20th anniversary tour that includes several stops in U.S. cities this October.
Over the past two decades, Mnozil has added some strikingly unusual elements to their repertoire of brass standards: opera and operetta, jazz and rock, performance art and absurdist theater...even yodeling.
When not playing their instruments, the septet sings together as a passable male choir. In fact, their version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" has more than 1.9 million views on YouTube.
Mnozil Brass began when several students at Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts, that is) got together in the nearby Mnozil Pub to drink and play music together.
Of course, the group has since branched out; they now have their own choreographer.
As such, they draw inevitable comparisons to the Canadian Brass, which was a strong influence on their performance style.
Evidence shows, though, that this admiration goes both ways.
According to arts commentator John Luckacovic, "Not many brass groups can claim the Canadian Brass as rabid fans, but Mnozil can."
The success of these two brass ensembles leads, once again, to the following question: "What is it about brass ensembles and comedy?"
Why are there no slapstick string quartets, for instance?
It may be that some musical instruments are inherently funnier than others, and a large percentage of them can be found in brass ensembles.
But the members of Mnozil Brass aren't just comedians.
As their own literature proclaims, "Mnozil Brass assumes they will be playing for an intelligent audience, one able to imagine what they are getting at. Enlightenment is their watchword, and this is paired with a kind of laid back perfection."
You can hear Mnozil Brass achieve laid-back perfection on their tour of Pennsylvania, California, Arkanasas and Florida later this year.
