KÖPENICK was written by Markus Götz for the 50th anniversary of the Köpenick Wind Orchestra. It consists of a theme with three variations that musically narrate the orchestra’s eventful history. Corresponding with the anniversary, KÖPENICK begins with a festive opening, after which the woodwinds present the main theme in chamber music style. The first variation reflects the orchestra’s development: like the first years of the orchestra itself, it is characterised by marching music, which was mainly due to the formation’s instrumentation at the time. The second variation symbolises the orchestra’s growth to its present form. The instrumental spectrum becomes broader. The calm tempo and the expressive passages indicate that - even within an association such as an orchestra - life sometimes presents itself with losses: Some musicians go, others come and take their place. The third variation is very different from the preceding ones and takes up the history of Berlin, Köpenick in particular, with moving and propulsive elements. A second theme, borrowed from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, refers to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the rhythmically unusual element of 7/8 beat symbolises the time of upheaval. If you listen closely, you can even detect the cry “We are the people”. KÖPENICK ends as it began, with the solemn main theme, which is supposed to remind the listener of one thing: Times are changing, but making music together remains.