Waltz through the city and discover the places that inspired great musicians that have walked Vienna’s streets. Meet Beethoven, Mozart, and the Strausses and find out more about the role Vienna has played in the history of music.

A Music Lover’s Guide to Vienna  | Cultural Places

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This musical journey through Vienna was brought to you by the Cultural Places team in cooperation with the content production agencies pow. bang. boom. and Sounds &amp; Words. © 2019

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This gold-gilded statue is the most photographed sight in Vienna. Partly because it’s gold and shiny, and partly because it’s one of the most famous composers Vienna ever produced. This is Johann Strauss Jr., so not the one who composed the famous Radetzky March, but his son who was known for popularising the dance music, Waltz, which was as scandalous as Rock 'n’ Roll when first introduced. His most famous work is the Blue Danube Waltz, which you should definitely try and catch at a concert during your stay in Vienna.

A Monument to the Waltz King

Visiting a place that was once touched by a legendary figure can help you imagine what their lives were like. Here, you can imagine Mozart sitting by one of the windows of this apartment building and composing. This is where he lived and worked. His time residing here may have been short, but he created some of his greatest pieces here. Mozart’s life was brief, but explosive in terms of what he gave the world in music. The story of this child prodigy is fascinating. Further Listening<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKkyGfLO1gw"> Così fan tutte, Wolfgang A. Mozart</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWH3G_wbhO0"> La Clemenzia di Tito, Wolfgang A. Mozart</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZcaf9GfyWs"> The Magic Flute, Wolfgang A. Mozart</a>

Where Mozart Lived

This ancient building possesses a fascinating history. It was home to a religious order of Knights and played host to some of the biggest names in Classical music. Brahms and Mozart both lived here for short periods. The inner courtyard of the building, which you can enter and enjoy the calmness of, remains relatively unchanged since their time here. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zpVsGbvNo">Ein deutsches Requiem, Johannes Brahms</a>

The Deutschordenshaus & Its Famous past Residents

Throughout history and to this day, musicians have provided the soundtrack to guest’s coffee and cake in traditional Viennese coffeehouses, such as Café Frauenhuber. This coffeehouse is the oldest in Vienna. The building is so old that Beethoven and Mozart once performed there for guests. The eccentric and great German composer, Beethoven, produced his most significant work during his 35 years living in Vienna. It’s also the city where he suffered greatly from his gradual deafness. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMGcOYHSs0">The Tempest, Ludwig v. Beethoven</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vcPkUfRAzY">Creatures of Prometheus, Ludwig v. Beethoven</a>

Beethoven & the Oldest Coffeehouse in Vienna

The pure, lofty voices of the Vienna Boys’ Choir enchant hundreds of thousands of people around the world every year. This makes them one of Vienna’s most significant musical exports. With over 500 years of singing behind them, they’re also the oldest boy band in the world. When they’re at home, they put on a special experience every Sunday for High Mass at this Medieval chapel, which is the oldest part of the Hofburg Palace. Just as they have done since 1498. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGL6nfT6kY8">Vienna Boys’ Choir at the Imperial Chapel</a>
 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNZnjFD6N7A">Nachspiel in D minor, Anton Bruckner</a>

The Vienna Boy’s Choir & the Imperial Chapel

Not only do you get a great view from up on this terrace, but you can also see two significant sights in terms of Vienna’s music history from up here. The wedding-cake-looking building across from the terrace is one of the most prestigious Opera houses in the world, the Vienna “Staatsoper.” Having opened in 1869, as you can imagine, it’s seen some stuff. Plus, from here you can also see where Vivaldi lived and where he was buried. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5eC9Aa9T5c">Don Giovanni, Wolfgang A. Mozart</a>
 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC_wGFGYkjs">Fidelio, Ludwig v. Beethoven</a>

Vienna’s Opera House & Vivaldi

This building, based on the Neoclassical style of a Greek temple, is one of the most integral classical music concert venues in the world. Catching a concert in its opulent “Goldener Saal” aka Golden Hall is on every die hard Classical music lover’s bucket list. It’s considered one of the best places for a Classical music concert due to its outstanding acoustics. Since 1870 when it opened, architects and musicians have studied its acoustics in their attempts to try and replicate it. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vDfofQUk0E">New Year’s Concert at Musikverein</a>

The Temple of Music: The Musikverein

Austria’s most famous Pop star’s music video for his biggest international hit was filmed within this beautiful Baroque summer palace. The music video involved funny Mozart wigs and repeated calls for Amadeus Mozart to rock! That’s right, we’re referring to the song, “Rock Me Amadeus,” by the enigmatic Pop icon, Falco. Vienna was his beloved home, and also the topic for many of his songs. He lived a, let’s say, colorful life and holds legendary status in the minds of the people of Austria.

Falco & the Palais Schwarzenberg

Vienna and music are synonymous. And when you’re in the city, you can’t say you’ve experienced what the hype is all about regarding the past and present Classical music scene without catching a concert at this magnificent building. It’s seen thousands of concerts performed on its stages since it opened in 1913. It’s played the role of one of the most significant concert venues in Vienna’s rich music history.

The Wiener Konzerthaus

This park, and the funfair known as the Wurstelprater it houses, have been around since the Austrian Empire days. It was, and still is, a beloved space for the city’s inhabitants. In turn, this means it has inspired many songs to be written about it. One music genre unique to Vienna that has especially affectionately sung about the park is the Wienerlied (literally: Viennese song). This bluesy, and often witty folk genre tells stories about Vienna. Some say it reflects the Viennese soul. Further Listening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLOBn7slYs">Im Prater blühn wieder die Bäume, Robert Stolz</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk4TQa4rnsc">theresia-song, Ernst Molden</a>

The Park That Inspires Music: Prater

This mighty old Ferris Wheel known as the “Riesenrad,” was where one of the most climactic scenes in the famous film, The Third Man, played out. The soundtrack for this classic film, directed by the famous British director, Carol Reed, has one of the most recognizable theme songs. That might be because it’s one of the few film soundtracks performed on a Zither. The song was composed and performed by Anton Karas who rose to fame as a Zither virtuoso after the film became a hit.

The Third Man & the “Riesenrad”

A Music Lover’s Guide to Vienna

Festliches Präludium, Richard Strauss

Vienna and music are synonymous. And when you’re in the city, you can’t say you’ve experienced what the hype is all about regarding the past and present Classical music scene without catching a concert at this magnificent building. It’s seen thousands of concerts performed on its stages since it opened in 1913. It’s played the role of one of the most significant concert venues in Vienna’s rich music history.FURTHER LISTENING
 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-d0hiyVmIA">Festliches Präludium, Richard Strauss</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wccRif2DaGs">Vienna Waits for You, Billy Joel</a>

A Music Lover’s Guide to Vienna

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