Attentively observing the stage, most listeners soon realize: the four musicians of Hotel Palindrone together are able to play more different instruments than most people would be able to recall from their memories.

The members of Hotel Palindrone indeed master an impressive multitude of instruments ranging from early to electronic. And they produce a wealth of sounds – from ancient to brand new and often spectacular, both with feeling and power and combined in intricate arrangements.

Instruments from many different families, eras, regions, well known as well as very rare ones are gathering on stage and having a big and merry party with the band:

Wind instruments like shawms, saxophones, different bagpipes – French cornemuses in G, D or A, Bohemian bock or Renaissance dudey -, overtone flutes and whistles, clarinet and chalumeau meet stringed instruments like mandola, electric bass, valisette, 5-string fiddle, nyckelharpa, bouzoki, hurdy gurdy. And they are joined by jaw’s harps, piano, diatonic accordion, melodic and small percussion like spoons… And, of course: singing, yodelling, vocal percussion.

Bach, Scarlatti, Haydn, Mozart, Bartok. Traditional music from the Alps to Scandinavia, from Galicia to the Balkans, from Brittany to the Apennine. Original compositions oscillating between classical music, folk, jazz and rock. And finally Konkani melodies: Indian-Portuguese songs from Goa and Mangalore.

Marialena Fernandes was born in Goa, and since 2009 she has appeared on stage with the world music band Hotel Palindrone. The musicians’ aim is to bring together musical genres which seemingly don’t belong together. So the pianist and the five multi-instrumentalists fall back on classical composers in order to highlight a very special aspect of their work: Joseph Haydn & Co as world musicians who picked up musical elements where ever they came from.

They did not shy away from traditional folk music and the pop culture of their times. The same holds true for dances and songs from other ethnic groups or nations, which is beautifully shown in Haydn’s Ongarese and Zingarese, his Scottish songs or the London Symphony No.104 integrating the Croatian song “Oj Jelena” as one of the main themes.

But Hotel Haydn’s musical repertoire goes far beyond the mélange of classical and folk music. European tunes have been joined by dances and songs from Marialena’s native country: Mandos, Dulpods and Deknis. A completely new experience for Western listeners who usually think about raga and sitars when Indian music is mentioned.

Hotel Haydn – an unusual concert with five outstanding musicians who inspire their audience not only by their virtuosity, but also by their charm and esprit!

Hotel Palindrone are regarded as the pioneers of the Austrian Balfolk-movement. From their very beginning they have not only inspired listeners, but also dancers. The band performed at many renowned dance festivals, such as Boomball Lovendengen and Gooikoorts (Belgium), Tanz&Folkfest Rudolstadt and Tanzhausfest Leipzig (Germany), Sidmouth Folk Week and Towersey Village Festival (Great Britain), Fête de la Vielle Anost and Festival Châtau d’Ars (France). Not to forget – with more than 10,000 fans – Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia).

Vienna was missing in the international network of Balfolk, so the Palotians, encouraged by what they saw broad, decided to establish their own ballroom. Not easy in a city that is considered the world capital of classical balls. But it worked! Dance music across the centuries and various European cultures – not only for connoisseurs but also for beginners: Ballsaal Palindrone’s experienced instructors show them how to dance bourree, mazurka, cercle, waltz, schottishe, polka, kopenitsa, andro, reel and kolo.

Apart from Hotel Palindrone’s show, there are always guest bands – coming from all over Europe and bringing a particular flair to this unusual Viennese ballroom.

There are lots of possibilities: Want to learn yodeling or one some rare instruments like hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, fiddle, mandola, jaw’s harp? Or you might want to expand your repertoire, be it Alpine or European or some fine danceable compositions by the band. Ensemble workshops are another possibility: for first steps into folk music as well as for experienced musicans. Or dancing bal folk (for experienced dancers, Hotel Palindrone also collaborate with different dancing masters). Or you might be interested in an exciting and entertaining lecture about special topics: instruments, music history, styles? And of course school workshops for all different ages.

All band members are experienced teachers, love working with groups and with individuals and have a deep and broad knowledge of different folk music traditions. Over time, the band has communicated folk music to audiences in workshops and lectures in Austria, England, Malaysia, Germany, Sicily, Latvia, the Netherlands or Scotland.