| The Großer Zapfenstreich |
The military traditions of the common bugle are
age-old. For example, Reveille originated in medieval
times to wake the soldiers at dawn and prepare for
another day. Retreat is a bugle call that dates back to
the Crusades. It was sounded at sunset and notified
sentries to start challenging personnel until sunrise.
The modern Retreat originated in the 16th century
when it was called "watch-setting".
age-old. For example, Reveille originated in medieval
times to wake the soldiers at dawn and prepare for
another day. Retreat is a bugle call that dates back to
the Crusades. It was sounded at sunset and notified
sentries to start challenging personnel until sunrise.
The modern Retreat originated in the 16th century
when it was called "watch-setting".
The drum major of a regiment would advertise the changing of the watch by the beating of the
drum. Also, on the battlefield, fighting usually ended at sunset, therefore, Retreat signaled the end
of the day. The troops assembled, roll was taken, and they would honor their fallen.
drum. Also, on the battlefield, fighting usually ended at sunset, therefore, Retreat signaled the end
of the day. The troops assembled, roll was taken, and they would honor their fallen.
The Großer Zapfenstreich ("Grand Tattoo") is a ceremonial military music ceremony performed in
the evening in Germany and Austria that occupies a special place in German military music with a
sequence of drum and fife tunes, cavalry trumpet calls and a call to prayer. Zapfenstreich (Tattoo)
was first mentioned in 1596, but is generally thought to have originated in its present form during
the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) as a call for quiet at camp. Young soldiers often spent their
evenings in pubs or canteens. Provost guards patrolled the drinking joints with their fifers and
drummers, and when it was time for the soldiers to return to their quarters, usually around 9 PM,
they signalled them by tapping the zapfen (bungs) of the tavern's barrels with the sticks used to
cork the barrels. This barred the proprietor from serving any more drinks. The provost then struck
a chalk line (streich) across the bung so that it could not be reopened without evidence of
tampering. This musical order was called "Zapfenschlag". Bungs were later translated in English as
taps and the whole command as 'Tap to' which evolved into 'Tattoo'.
the evening in Germany and Austria that occupies a special place in German military music with a
sequence of drum and fife tunes, cavalry trumpet calls and a call to prayer. Zapfenstreich (Tattoo)
was first mentioned in 1596, but is generally thought to have originated in its present form during
the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) as a call for quiet at camp. Young soldiers often spent their
evenings in pubs or canteens. Provost guards patrolled the drinking joints with their fifers and
drummers, and when it was time for the soldiers to return to their quarters, usually around 9 PM,
they signalled them by tapping the zapfen (bungs) of the tavern's barrels with the sticks used to
cork the barrels. This barred the proprietor from serving any more drinks. The provost then struck
a chalk line (streich) across the bung so that it could not be reopened without evidence of
tampering. This musical order was called "Zapfenschlag". Bungs were later translated in English as
taps and the whole command as 'Tap to' which evolved into 'Tattoo'.
Saxon major Hans von Fleming detailed this military custom for the first time in his 1726 book,
'The Perfect German Soldier'. Friedrich Wilhelm 1 of Prussia, the Soldier King, added regulations
governing "Zapfenstreich" and the tattoo was followed by a short evensong. In 1813, Prussian
King Friedrich Wilhelm III witnessed the evening ceremony of the Russian army after the battle of
Großgörschen near Berlin and was moved by its religious elements. He ordered a prayer to become
included in the Prussian Zapfenstreich.
'The Perfect German Soldier'. Friedrich Wilhelm 1 of Prussia, the Soldier King, added regulations
governing "Zapfenstreich" and the tattoo was followed by a short evensong. In 1813, Prussian
King Friedrich Wilhelm III witnessed the evening ceremony of the Russian army after the battle of
Großgörschen near Berlin and was moved by its religious elements. He ordered a prayer to become
included in the Prussian Zapfenstreich.
After the formation of the German Reich in 1871, the Emperor's Hymn 'Heil Dir im Siegerkranz'
became part of the Zapfenstreich, but played only in the presence of the Emperor. After World
War One, the “Deutschlandlied” replaced the old imperial hymn, and when foreign heads of state
or military units are guests, their respective national anthems are played. Today, the Zapfenstreich
is performed as a solemn evening ceremony only on the occasion of national celebrations such as
honoring distinguished persons. There is a very involved procedural ceremony for the "Grosse
Zapfenstreich" with fifes and drums, a director of music, torch-bearers, a bandmaster, a drum
major, drummers and a crescent-bearer. It consists of about 400 men, including at least one
military band, two platoons of armed infantrymen and two lines of soldiers carrying torches.
became part of the Zapfenstreich, but played only in the presence of the Emperor. After World
War One, the “Deutschlandlied” replaced the old imperial hymn, and when foreign heads of state
or military units are guests, their respective national anthems are played. Today, the Zapfenstreich
is performed as a solemn evening ceremony only on the occasion of national celebrations such as
honoring distinguished persons. There is a very involved procedural ceremony for the "Grosse
Zapfenstreich" with fifes and drums, a director of music, torch-bearers, a bandmaster, a drum
major, drummers and a crescent-bearer. It consists of about 400 men, including at least one
military band, two platoons of armed infantrymen and two lines of soldiers carrying torches.
The Zapfenstreich in its modern form was designed by Prussian music director Wilhelm Wieprecht
who arranged a large concert for the Prussian king and his guest, the Russian Czar in Potsdam. It
was played for the first time in Berlin in May, 1838, with 1000 musicians and 200 drummers and
fifers taking part. Different sequences were intended for foot troops, infantry and cavalry garrisons.
In former times, it was a custom to play an anthem prior to the prayer (usually the hymn, "Ich bete
an die Macht der Liebe"), on special occasions such as the Emperor's birthday.
who arranged a large concert for the Prussian king and his guest, the Russian Czar in Potsdam. It
was played for the first time in Berlin in May, 1838, with 1000 musicians and 200 drummers and
fifers taking part. Different sequences were intended for foot troops, infantry and cavalry garrisons.
In former times, it was a custom to play an anthem prior to the prayer (usually the hymn, "Ich bete
an die Macht der Liebe"), on special occasions such as the Emperor's birthday.
The present Großer Zapfenstreich consists of four components,
including the military band playing Beethoven's Yorckscher
Marsch, the first of three military marches written by Beethoven
in 1808 or 1809. There are some regional variations. The
Bavarian "Großer Zapfenstreich" plays the "Bavarian Tattoo
March" and uses the "Bavarian Military Prayer" by Johann
Caspar Aiblinger.
including the military band playing Beethoven's Yorckscher
Marsch, the first of three military marches written by Beethoven
in 1808 or 1809. There are some regional variations. The
Bavarian "Großer Zapfenstreich" plays the "Bavarian Tattoo
March" and uses the "Bavarian Military Prayer" by Johann
Caspar Aiblinger.