A Werkelmann, an Austrian idiom for a barrel organist, literally is
someone who potters around. Oliver Maar not only collects hand organs (his museum houses some 180 instruments) but also learned the craft of punching cards. This enables him to keep expanding his repertoire of more than 3000 pieces with whatever tunes take his fancy. A gifted storyteller and a master of art whistling (Kunstpfeiferei) as well, there’s no end to the delights that spring from Herr Maar’s cabinet of curiosities.

© Herbert Zotti