Manfred Minnich

Manfred Minnich (12 December 1923 – 17 August 1985) was a German trumpet player, composer, arranger and conductor, born in Fischbach, a small town in the municipality of Quierschied in the German state of Saarland. He founded the SR Dance Orchestra and was its leading conductor until 1964. He then handed over leadership of the orchestra to Eberhard Pokorny, but continued working for the SR Dance Orchestra as an editor. He died on 17 August 1985 in his hometown of Fischbach. Minnich had many different pseudonyms such as: “Boris Schoska, George Potella, and George Winters”.

Early life Minnich, born in 1923, grew up in Nazi Germany, and his early life is not well documented. But from when Minnich was young he had fostered a talent for music, mainly with the trumpet, which became his main instrument. As he got older he expanded in the industry by joining the composing scene, leading to the creation of the SR Dance Orchestra.

Career Minnich primarily played the trumpet; this was his main instrument throughout his career. He wasn't just a trumpet player; he was also a conductor, music composer, and arranger. He contributed widely to the post-war music in Germany. Minnich was encompassed in many different groups, he was most notable as the founder of the SR Dance Orchestra, there he played and directed music up until 1964. He was a part of several more different orchestras, these include Orchester David Summerfield, Orchester Manfred Minnich, Orchester Michael Coster, Tanzorchester Des Saarländischen Rundfunks, The George Winters Band, The George Winters Orchestra, The Manfred Minnich String Orchestra. Minnich's career is marked by many key achievements and important dates, founding several different orchestras is a large achievement. He led the orchestra till 1964 when he handed it over to Eberhard Pokorny, he stepped down from the conducting role but continued to still contribute as a music editor, this kept his ongoing influence in the music scene. Unfortunately, Minnich did not win any awards. He was a niche composer, and his talent was not well recognized. His most well-known piece is "No More", being used in many pieces of media as well as in popular video games like Roblox, and well known children's cartoon, Waltzing Flute being used in SpongeBob SquarePants.

Radio plays As a composer

1955: Klaus L. Graeupner: The Ballad of Kunibert – Director: Peter Arthur Stiller (Short Radio Play – Radio Saarbrücken) 1956: Walter Kolbenhoff:At the End of the Street – Director: Peter Arthur Stiller (Radio Play – SR) 1956: Lester Powell: Lady in the Fog (8 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1956: Hans Hömberg: Japanese Dream Play – Director: Peter Arthur Stiller (Original Radio Play – SR) 1957: Lester Powell: The Lady is Blonde (8 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1959: Lester Powell: The Lady with the Gray Curls (8 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1960: Lester Powell: The Lady Films (8 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1961: Lester Powell: The Lady Writes (8 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1962: Hans Hömberg: The Horse of the Cheerful Lark – Adaptation and Direction: Jörg Franz (Original Radio Play – SR) 1962: Wolfgang Altendorf: The Kraptaken-Tuft – Director: Jörg Franz (Original Radio Play – SR) 1962: Rainer Puchert: Manoeuvre – Director: Miklos Konkoly (Radio Play – SR) 1964: Lester Powell: The Many-Loved Lady (6 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR) 1971: Lester Powell: The Lady is Reckless (5 episodes) – Director: Albert Carl Weiland (Original Radio Play, Crime Radio Play – SR)

Source: ARD-Hörspieldatenbank

Discography

1970: Gerhard Narholz Orchestra, Manfred Minnich Orchestra – Dance Express, Tip Record Production 1970: The Manfred Minnich String Orchestra, Studio One 1973: Music for Dancing, Karussell 1973: Manfred Minnich Orchestra/Herbert Küster Orchestra – Midnight Party, Karussell 2021: Vintage Pearls: Retro Things with Strings – Manfred Minnich The Manfred Minnich Orchestra/The Gerhard Narholz Orchestra, Studio One Manfred Minnich Orchestra/Ernst Bogenhaus, Europhon Manfred Minnich Orchestra, Rick Lane Orchestra – Dance Party, Tyrolis The Manfred Minnich String Orchestra, Studio One