Michael Jackson & Orlando di Lasso Monument, Munich
Michael Jackson and Orlando di Lasso revolutionized music history—two musical superstars honored at a single location in the heart of Munich
A monument that knows no rest—a memorial without silence—Promenadeplatz, in front of the main entrance to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof (DEUTSCH)
Munich—Promenadeplatz—Michael Jackson monument. Over the past six years or so, emotions have occasionally run high in Munich regarding the honoring of Michael Jackson’s memory. The "King of Pop" did not visit Munich often, but whenever he came for a concert, he stayed at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof on Promenadeplatz—the city's premier hotel. The Ministry of Culture has threatened to clear Jackson-related memorabilia from the base of the dual monument (shared with Orlando di Lasso) if the fans do not continue to maintain it. These heroes of music history and the dual monument on Munich’s Promenadeplatz—a site fiercely championed by Jackson fans—remind us that music needs its heroes, for the art of sound requires geniuses. While the bronze monument to Di Lasso was erected specifically to honor a great historical musician who played a vital role in Munich, Michael Jackson is venerated at the base of that same monument solely by his fans. A place of remembrance for one—or rather, two—unforgettable musicians...
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| Orlando di Lasso in bronze atop a granite pedestal with tributes to Michael Jackson, Munich, in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof; photo: Helga Waess |
All music was contemporary in its own time
But: All music was contemporary in its own time. This dual memorial in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich pays tribute to both:
Orlando di Lasso, the "King of Classical Music" of the 16th century,
and Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Since 2009, the pedestal of the Orlando di Lasso monument in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof has served as a dual memorial commemorating Michael Jackson. The titan of pop music history passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. Since then, the monument on Munich’s Promenadeplatz has become a place of pilgrimage for Michael Jackson fans from around the world.
A dual memorial for two heroes of music history
The monument to Orlando di Lasso originally stood at Odeonsplatz. The bronze statue was created by Ferdinand von Miller. The Di Lasso monument had to be relocated to make way for the equestrian statue of Ludwig I; it has stood on Promenadeplatz since 1860. After being destroyed during the war, this bronze reconstruction was re-erected in 1958. The statue rests on a granite pedestal.
Since 2009, the monument's granite pedestal in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof has become a pilgrimage site for Jackson fans. They bring flowers, write short letters, and leave behind photos and newspaper clippings. Exposed to the elements, the memorial is maintained by private individuals—his loyal fans.
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| Plinth of the Michael Jackson memorial in Munich in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Photo: Helga Waess |
Michael Jackson at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich
We, too, remember a visit by Michael Jackson to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Back then, throngs of fans gathered on the lawn of Promenadenplatz outside the hotel, playing his songs loudly. Press photographers were there, too.
And then, the moment: an almost hysterical shriek swept through the crowd when a curtain on the hotel's second floor suddenly shifted slightly to the side. Unlike the incident at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, the window remained closed. For a brief moment, one could see a face veiled by a black cloth. A hat. And a waving hand. "Michael! Michael!" the crowd screamed, and some wept with joy at being so close to this gifted musician of pop history. They waved back and sang even louder.
Moving moments that the pilgrims at the Michael Jackson memorial plinth surely recall time and again.
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| Plinth at the Di Orlando monument featuring Michael Jackson memorabilia Photo: Helga Waess |
No City Tour Without the Michael Jackson Memorial
If the Michael Jackson memorial were dismantled, Munich would lose one of its attractions. The monument to Michael Jackson serves as a vibrant place of pilgrimage. It is tolerated by the Ministry of Culture and the City of Munich as long as the pedestal—adorned with images of Jackson, flowers, messages, and candles—is maintained in all weather conditions.
Now, the situation has come to a head once again, and the dispute over the Michael Jackson memorial appears to be escalating. Two camps are at odds over their idol:
- the Michael Jackson association "MJ's Legacy," led by chairwoman Nena Akhtar (Jackson Facebook page),
- and unorganized Michael Jackson fans.
The latter group wishes to leave tributes but finds no space to do so, as the maintenance of the monument is the responsibility of "MJ's Legacy." The association maintains that there is sufficient open space available on the shaded side of the monument.
The Ministry of Culture has now stepped in, as news of the dispute has reached their offices. They have stated that if peace is not restored between the parties, the memorial—which is merely tolerated at this location—will be removed.
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Michael Jackson memorial plinth viewed from the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, photo: Helga Waess |
Orlando di Lasso—a Michael Jackson of the 16th century
Michael Jackson fans seem to have instinctively chosen the Orlando di Lasso monument for their idol. It was already there on the spot—right where their hero of music history used to stay.
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| Bronze sculpture of Orlando di Lasso by Ferdinand von Miller the Younger, monument on Promenadeplatz in Munich,Helga Waess |
But Orlando di Lasso was the Michael Jackson of the 16th century. In his time, he was as famous across Europe as the King of Pop was worldwide in the 20th century.
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| Inscription on the base of the Orlando di Lasso monument, framed by photographs of Michael Jackson affixed to the granite by fans. Photo: Helga Waess |
Capital letters on the base read:
"ERECTEDBY LUDWIG I
KING OF BAVARIA
MDCCCIL"
King Ludwig I of Bavaria commissioned the monument in 1849 for the "tone poet" Roland de Lattre, known as Orlando di Lasso
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| Inscription for Orlando di Lasso on the granite base of his monument. Photographs of Michael Jackson have been affixed here by fans of the King of Pop. Photo: Helga Waess |
On the opposite side of the base, one finds the inscription for the "King of Music" of the 16th century:
"ROLAND DE LATTRE
KNOWN AS
ORLANDO DI LASSO
TONE POET"
Orlando di Lasso—also known as Orlande or Roland de Lanus—was a composer who was ennobled by an imperial letter of arms in 1570. He was born in Mons, in the County of Hainaut, in 1530 or 1532 (sources conflict on the date) and died in Munich in June 1594.
With this monument to Orlando di Lasso,
King Ludwig I of Bavaria
honored a gifted musical genius
... a musical free spirit who constantly broke new ground and mastered every form of musical practice. Naturally, he composed masses and Tafelmusik (table music) for daily entertainment, German *Lieder*, French chansons, motets, and madrigals. BUT: Further evidence of his extraordinary musical genius lies in the fact that, even during his lifetime, he was included in anthologies documenting the history of music.
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| The di Lasso-Jackson monument on Promenadeplatz in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Photo: Helga Waess |
A musical genius: Orlando di Lasso
Audiences were said to be "beside themselves" with emotion due to his passionate music. He defied all established rules of composition and rewrote the classical canon. Paying little heed to academic precepts, he introduced surprising moments of profound impact. Through his use of sound and text, he created musical settings that were considered "unconventional" for the listening habits of the time.
He composed works across both secular and sacred genres. For him, the occasion for a composition was merely a pretext to express his unique creative power.
He traveled to England, France, and Antwerp. This period saw the first printed editions of his compositions, copies of which are preserved in Venice, Antwerp, and Rome.
The year 1557 was a pivotal one for Munich, as it marks his first recorded appearance as a tenor in the court chapel of Duke Albrecht V. In 1562–63, he became the chapel master (*Kapellmeister*) of the court ensemble. He undertook numerous journeys—attending the coronation of Maximilian in 1562 and traveling to the Emperor in Vienna in 1573, among other trips.
A musical official!
Orlando di Lasso was showered with honors during his lifetime.
- In 1570, he was raised to the hereditary nobility.
- In 1574, Pope Gregory XIII appointed him a "Knight of the Golden Spur"—the first musician ever to receive this honor.
- The Pope and the Emperor bestowed gifts of gold upon him.
- King Charles IX of France granted him a substantial honorary pension and sought to bring him to his court.
- The Elector of Saxony was likewise interested in hiring him as court Kapellmeister in Dresden.
- He won first prize in composition competitions in 1575 and 1583 for the best polyphonic vocal compositions (motets).
- Di Lasso remained in Munich; he received a lifelong salary from Bavaria, effectively serving as a civil servant of music.
- From the outset, he was remunerated on the same level as a court councilor, despite being merely a musician.
- His widow was provided with a pension.
- His sons were guaranteed employment.
- For the biography of Orlando di Lasso, see: Leuchtmann, Horst, "Lasso, Orlando di" in: *Neue Deutsche Biographie* 13 (1982), pp. 676–678.
Michael Jackson and Orlando di Lasso
revolutionized music history
Two musical superstars are honored at the same location — though the choice of site was dictated by the "King of Pop." The decision to create a dual monument was a good one. Let's see how much longer it lasts...Text and photos: Dr. Helga Waess
