Schools above the Ground: Music of the Spanische Hofreitschule Wien

A n impressive performance this morning by Lippizaner horses and their riders at the Spanische Hofreitschule Wien. Such grace and rhythmic artistry by all!

• Favory Trompeta / Zimmermann
  
• Pluto Favorita / Oberhauser
  
• Pluto Medea / Burg
  
• Conversano Bellamira / Zimmermann
  
• Maestoso Beja I / Zeithofer
  
• Favory Gidrane / Egger
  
• Pluto Bellornata / Eder
  
• Neapolitano Gaetana / Rothleitner
  
• Conversano Undine I / Burg
  
• Maestoso Basowizza / Zimmermann
  
• Maestoso Calzedona / Eder
  
• Pluto Riga / Rothleitner-Schreiner
  
• Conversano Bonavoja / Zimmermann
  
• Favory Dagmar II / Oberhauser
  
• Maestoso Biondella / Burg
  
• Favory Duba / Zimmermann
  
• Favory Dagmar / Zimmermann
  
• Siglavy Recolta / Rothleitner
  
• Pluto Blanketta / Schreiner
  
• Conversano Darinka / Zimmermann
  
• Pluto Theodorosta / Oberhauser
  
• Favory Wanda / Burg
  
• Siglavy Dubovina II / Zimmermann

I nteresting to note that each rider generally trains and stays with each horse throughout the horse’s life after the horse comes to the SRS at age 4 to 6 years. Interesting, too, to note that the SRS riders are promoted from ‘Eleve/Elevin’ (apprentice/student) to ‘assistant rider’ level after not less than about 4 years.

P resenter Georgina Whittle gave animated and informative introductions to each of the 5 15-minute program segments, ending with the Schulequadrille.

• Schubert – Militärmarsch No. 1 in D major
  
• Schantl – Schmiedeck Fanfare
  
• Strauss (sohn) – Wiener Blut
  
• Boccherini – Menuett
  
• Schantl – Andrassy Fanfare
  
• Walch – Pariser Einzugsmarsch
  
• Ziehrer – Schönfeldsmarsch
  
• Fucik – Regimentskinder
  
• Bizet – Aus der Arlésienne Suite No. 2
  
• Chopin – Polonaise No. 1 in A major
  
• Haydn – Aus der Symphonie No. 101
  
• Traditional – Österreichischer Grenadiermarsch
  
• Strauss (vater) – Radetzky Marsch

T he horses’ executions of the patterns in the dressage ring were astonishingly precise in the synchronization to the music. The tempi of the chamber orchestras who performed on the recordings for these exhibitions are chosen to be compatible with the natural/comfortably-feasible velocities and cadences of the horses. Animals that have served in domesticated roles for centuries clearly love to have meaningful, artistically beautiful roles to play—honest jobs. Their expressions show genuine satisfaction—they clearly enjoy their own achievements. In other words, they do it not just for the sugar-lumps, and not just to be compliant with human ‘masters’. It was wonderful, just wonderful to watch this. Pirouettes! Piaffes! Levades! Caprioles! Bravo!

• Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule Wien) website
  
• Lipizzanerkulinarium im traumhaften Ambiente des Barockschlosses Piber [fine dining with the Lippizaners behind your shoulder]
  
• Wienerisch Streichquartett. Lehar Franz: Pferdischer Quartetten. (Schmid, 2010.)
  
• Grebowicz M, Merrick H. Companion Species: Adventures with Donna Haraway. Columbia Univ, 2009.
  
• Haraway D. The Companion Species Manifesto: Dogs, People, and Significant Otherness. Prickly Paradigm, 2003.
  
• Fédération Equestre Internationale website
  
• U.S. Dressage Federation website
  
• ClassicalDressage.net