1996 – what a year!
What happened by then
Demand for my instruments grew steadily, and a waiting list developed—something that was almost a given back then for reecorder enthusiasts.
And I was no longer able to do both: my job at Mollenhauer and then, after work, continuing in my own workshop.
I had to make a decision—and I decided to go my own way. For my own workshop, for my instruments.
A decision I’ve truly never regretted, even to this day.
Of course, that wasn’t really possible anymore in that tiny basement room. I was able to move upstairs in my house—to the ground floor—with real windows—and a real outside view. How I enjoyed that!
My tomcat wasn’t quite as thrilled about it back then. He’d pop in every now and then to visit me.
Until I had the audacity to startplaying the reecorder!
He gave me a sidelong glance, as if to say, “When are you going to stop?” I didn’t stop, and he left my workshop, deeply offended. Later, he got some food, and we were reconciled.
In my new workshop, I had much more space. It filled up quickly with a new lathe, a few more machines, and a good windway cutter (which still serves me wonderfully today).
My repertoire grew as well—new models came along. Ganassi recorders. And a new alto recorder. In addition to my beloved “Bressan,” another one—based on Jacob Denner.
Jacob and I were already acquainted. And his wonderful alto recorder, now in the museum in Copenhagen, inspired me anew.
And - yes - then came that year, 1996…
Braunschweig by phone
Actually, that year, 1996, had already begun earlier, at the end of 1995.
The phone rang.
On the line was a staff member from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig.
“Hello, Mr. Blezinger!
And first of all, congratulations on winning the German Musical Instrument Award!”
What…? Excuse me…?
Well, the German Musical Instrument Award was - for the last time in 2025 - awarded annually in two instrument categories.
In all that time, the recorder had only been in the running twice - for 1996 in the “alto recorder” category.
And I just decided to give it a try - with one of my new copies after Jacob Denner, made of Grenadilla.
The result - see above.
The prize was a “honorary prize” . We had a beautiful celebration on the eve of the Musikmesse in Frankfurt. At the same time, the Frankfurt Music Prize was also given - an opportunity for me to get in touch with the music of Hans Zender, who had composed a gripping new interpretation of “Winterreise.”
They let me hear my recorder onstage - masterfully played by a recorder professional from Frankfurt.
And the following buffet was pretty good, too.
Was it because of the award? Or simply because it’s a beautiful recorder? In any case, my “Denner altü” became somewhat of an all-time favorite in my repertoire.
Moving truck outside the door
I got the call from Braunschweig in 1995 whilst still in Langenbieber.
I received the award while I lived in Eisenach.
In between, there was a move—with my entire workshop!
Life doesn’t always follow a straight path. Time and again, we experience upheavals—things turn out differently than we’d once imagined.
I experienced this in 1995 as well.
Meeting the woman who would later become the mother of my sons led me to this relocation.
Yes, and it was really intense. Two trucks full of machines, workbenches, materials, and wood stocks.
Time to celebrate!
I was lucky to find a beautiful workshop space - three times as large as before - in which I could really set up well. And some of the ideas that hadn’t found a space in my previous workshop could now be realized.
Once my workshop was finally set up properly, it was time to properly celebrate.
An “open house” was well attended - with some guests traveling quite a distance to get there - which, of course, made me really happy.
And in the evening, I had the pleasure of inviting the guests to a private concert at the Bachhaus in Eisenach.
Rahel Stoellger from Vienna and her ensemble gave us all a wonderful experience!
And one more blessing!
I’ve been blessed to experience many moments of great happiness in my life.
Then, in November of that magical year, 1996, another big one came along:
I was able to witness the birth of my eldest son, Martin.
His start in life was a bit bumpy at first. And for several weeks, my workshop was really just a place I visited only now and then.
Through all the excitement - just pure happiness!
Many of you will know Martin - as well as his brother Alexander, born in 1999 - from the one or other exhibition, where they either represented me well and competently or stood by my side to help me.
Of course, both of them later started learning to play the recorder. They didn’t become professionals, but they are fairly good players. Both started because they simply wanted to - hardly surprising, with a dad who has a whole workshop full of unfinished and finished recorders. And both stuck with playing the recorder, even when they reached an age where it might not have been considered “cool” anymore.
They both still treasure their recorders - even if they aren’t playing them right now. But I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they rediscovered the joy of playing them.