Author
Katrin Fell, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 1/2025.
For many years, Markus Baltensperger from Hamburg has supported our members' meeting and information day with his technical expertise. You can read more about what this support entails and everything he does for our Alpha family in the following interview.
Because he's not just a technician, but a true musician through and through. We've had the pleasure of experiencing this firsthand – most notably at our anniversary celebration, where his musical accompaniment perfectly complemented the evening. We're therefore delighted to introduce you to Markus from a different perspective.
A1D: Hello Markus, we are very pleased to introduce you to our members and readers of the journal. What are you actually, a musician or a technician, or both?
Markus Baltensperger: First and foremost, I'm a musician, but since I trained in a technical profession that no longer exists – namely, automotive electrician – I have a relatively good technical knowledge. It always bothered me when I rented equipment and it didn't work perfectly. That's how I gradually acquired more and more of my own equipment and became completely self-sufficient. Now, many clients appreciate my skills as both a musician and an event technician because they get everything from one source.
A1D: You go far beyond the call of duty for us, how come?
Markus Baltensperger: I lived in Marion Wilkens' neighborhood and had her children as guitar students. At some point, I came across a club flyer and asked Marion about it. That's how I started out participating in events with live music and eventually took over the technical side as well.
A1D: Where and when can we hear your music again soon?
Markus Baltensperger: I've been meaning to make a new album for a long time now. I hope I can manage it this year, but I'm actually present on all platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and so on. I also played on the new song by Nena's son, Samuel. I'm always collaborating with different artists and am open to new things.
A1D: What's it like for you to be involved in our information day? What all needs to be prepared?
Markus Baltensperger: The information day is, of course, quite a challenge at times, requiring a lot of technology and effort, and since I do it almost entirely on my own, I hardly get any breaks. The last three times I haven't been able to participate in the liver study because I simply didn't have the time. But I'm always happy when everything runs smoothly and most people are satisfied. With so many people present, it's not always easy to please everyone, but I do my best.
A1D: What would you like to tell us?
Markus Baltensperger: I find your event very professionally organized, and I don't know of any other club or institution where everything is so detailed and well thought out. There's always something new and inspiring at your place. I think it would be good for the patients or members to have something with music again, something that would allow them to escape into another world and perhaps focus on something else for a few minutes or hours.
A1D: Finally, allow me one more personal question. What do you like to do in your free time, if you have any?
Markus Baltensperger: I really enjoy traveling in my motorhome, where I often look for campsites that are located somewhere in nature and not in commercial areas. This allows me to recharge my batteries and find myself again.
A1D: … thank you so much, dear Markus, for taking the time to answer our questions so thoroughly. We look forward to continuing our collaboration – because we know what we have in you!
