Hello everyone, I am pleased to be able to report to you that the
"Salzburg Stier" Barrel Organ is once again back in the fortress,
Hohensalzburg.  The homecoming celebration known as the "StierFest"
was a tremendous success, Representatives from every European automated
music society were present as well as several hundred invited guests.
Well over 5,000 people used the Funicular railroad up to the fortress
while many others walked up the winding path.

The event started with a formal opening ceremony where representatives
of government as well as the restoration team spoke, also the list of
"Sponsors of the Stier restoration" was presented and placed beside the
Stier.  The Salzburg Stier performed magnificently, everyone agreed
that it sounds wonderful.  All of the songs pleased even the most fussy
Mozart fan and the famous "Castle horn" had people holding their ears
as it bellowed out it's roar.  All day long the Stier played it's full
repertoire of 12 songs as pinned by Leopold Mozart; each song is
preceded and followed by the famous thundering roar of the "Castle
Horn".

Special tours of the Stier and its (5 persons to operate) bellows room
were conducted all day long, as well as tours into the depths of the
castle, allowing people to see and experience places never open to the
public before.  Many automated musical acts were hired from all over
Europe to perform at the fortress and in the old town.

An "organ walk" was also presented, with stops in several of the many
museums for special performances on instruments dating from the early
1600's as well as hourly performances in the Cathedral on the five (!)
organs housed in this magnificent church.

This is where Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as Michael
Haydn and Paul Hofhaymer (to name just a few) played all five organs
together for the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg and the common citizen.
The walk continued on to Hellbrunn Palace and garden, where the very
rare "Water Organ" was displayed, allowing people to actually view and
photograph all of the interior.

Needless to say there are many other items of interest that happened
at the StierFest so please visit the Salzburg Stier web site at
http://www.salzstier.com/ in the coming weeks to see photographs of
the event.

To the generous "Sponsors of the Stier restoration" --

The new book describing the restoration was presented at the Festival
and your copy will be coming to you very soon.  The special new CD of
"The Stier in Concert" will be completed in about eight weeks and will
also be sent directly to you.  Please feel free to contact me for
further information.  These items are only available to sponsors, so
if you would like to still become a part of this great event and have
your name beside the Salzburg Stier, it is still not too late.  Please
see the Salzburg Stier web site http://www.salzstier.com/ for details
or contact me or Salzburg directly.

Best Regards to everyone

Ron Schmuck