Tannheimer Mühlenpolka

Tannheim and its mill: The village of Tannheim was first mentioned in documents around 1100 in connection with the founding of the Benedictine monastery of Ochsenhausen (Upper Swabia). Documents from the monastery show that there were already a mill and a tavern at that time. In 1529, the mill was given the saint's name “St Benignus” and around 1610, the building was constructed in its current form. Even then, the mill was driven by the water power of the small stream named Tannheimer Mühlbach. Until secularisation in 1803, the mill was owned by the monastery in Ochsenhausen. Around 1850, Xaver Graf from Altdorf (Weingarten) acquired the mill. On the initiative of Gerd Graf, the fifth generation of mill owners, the “Upper Swabian Mill Route” was established in 2005. This network of around 100 mills was delighted when the traditional miller’s craft was added to UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list in 2018. Even today, the grain is still processed from corn to flour with craftsmanship and skill and, just like 900 years ago, the small Tannheimer Mühlbach drives the waterwheel-powered grain mill. In 2023, the mill was handed over to the sixth generation and has been run by Alexander Graf ever since.

The Graf family of musicians: For the nature-loving composer Kurt Gäble, who particularly appreciates the values and traditions of village life, it was a matter close to his heart to immortalise the history of the Tannheim mill in music for Gerd Graf and his family. After all, the Graf family of millers has for generations been closely associated with music, and wind band music in particular. For over 30 years, Kurt Graf has been the conductor of the Tannheim local band, in which his brothers Gerd and Karl-Heinz also play. Reason enough for Kurt Gäble to honour the Graf family's work. On 14 December 2019, the “Tannheimer Mühlenpolka” (“Tannheim mill polka”) was played for the first time as part of the Tannheim band's annual concert in honour of the Graf family and Kurt Graf's 30th conducting anniversary.