Review: Get Well Soon in the Munich Muffathalle – Munich

Because he felt like something hopeful in the midst of the pandemic, the composer and musician Konstantin Gropper created the sixth Get Well Soon-Album “Amen” probably also his most euphoric album. With his references to the music styles of the 80s and 90s of the last century, Gropper, who otherwise also works as a film composer and producer, also managed to create the most varied album of his band project, the live implementation of which, together with earlier songs, made a particularly exciting and varied concert in made possible by the Muffathalle.

Without downplaying the intensive concert experience of previous Get Well Soon shows, Gropper’s live band seems to be returning from the forced break caused by the pandemic almost strengthened. In addition to the new bassist, the new singer Alex Mayr, who has taken the place of the violinist and singer Verena Gropper, who left during the pandemic, is shaping the new band structure. Together with Konstantin Gropper, Mayr had previously composed the soundtrack to Detlev Buck’s gangster comedy “We Can’t Do Anything Else”. Because her own albums also evoke similar film associations as does the music of the band Get Well Soon, which is based on Ennio Morricone, Mayr is far more than just a replacement for her predecessor. She is a refreshing addition to the top-class team.

However, Gropper’s compositions also need musicians who, like Maximilian Schenkel, can switch from guitar to trumpet and bass in the middle of a piece, or who, like Marcus Wuest, can play the keyboard and glockenspiel at the same time and also sing along. And again and again all the musicians switch to percussive instruments, which excitingly expand the drummer’s rhythmic playing. Such even deserves a comparison with the legendary ones Talking Heads. A glorious spring awakening after the pandemic. At least temporarily!