Vienna – the world capital of music, music everywhere!

So last week, we returned from Vienna.

And what a marvellous time we had!

‘Remember how I told you that Vienna has the most frequently photographed monument in the city – the golden statue of Johann Strauss, has the circus fairground of Parter, the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, and a history to be jealous of.

Well, I wasn’t joking when I told you that Vienna has a precious heritage, charming traditions, imperial architecture, museums, art collections, works of art, the world’s first psycho-analyst – Sigmund Freud, the home of musical geniuses such as Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms and Mahler, as well as the era of the Habsburgs who reigned for more than six (6) centuries!

Oh yes!

Vienna is rich in baroque, historicism, art nouveau, as well as a nod to a world-class cultural complex and a future-oriented design of 60,000 square meters of space for a highly creative cultural scene in the Museums Quartier where we stayed, and in fact, all of the city!

All!

Of!

The

City!

It was a miracle that we had the energy and enthusiasm to do anything else as I spent most of the time, staring at the glorious buildings, with my mouth wide agape.

And it’s not that I’m a novice either.

I’ve travelled the world. I’ve been to many a country with wonders, but I’m of the school of thought that whatever funds a nation has, it should use it to restore it’s buildings, it’s history, it’s music, and it’s culture.

And most of that, you’ll find nowadays, in it’s museums and art galleries!

I like music.

I may be a lifestyle travel blogger today, but none of that stuff ever left.

I still love music.

And art.

And literature.

MUSIC! MUSIC! EVERYWHERE!

At first glance, Vienna seems to be all about classical music. And that’s a very good thing!

Did you know that Vienna has:

• Around 10,000 music fans are treated to live classical music. Every night!
• More than 15,000 concert events of various sizes and genres
• Around 120 music & theatre stages
• An impressive 2,000 hours of dancefloor music at 450 balls each year
• Around 750 bars, dance venues, and discos
• Vienna State Opera with a line-up 300 nights of the year!
• The Vienna Boys’ Choir – Established in 1498, it’s the oldest boy band choir in the world!
• The only surviving Viennese apartment used by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and located at the Mozarthaus Vienna! In fact, we visited this apartment which has now become a museum.

We couldn’t really take photographs so I only have a photo of the outside!

This apartment on 5, Domgasse 5, is the apartment that Mozart and his family lived in between 1784 – 1787, and where he composed his most famous opera piece – The Marriage of Figaro.

The price includes an audio guide in twelve (12) languages as well as three (3) floors of fascinating information about Mozart’s time and some of his most important work. In fact, the street opposite in its narrow cobbled nature, has hardly changed at all, and you would feel fully engrossed in Vienna of the day!

This museum was impressive, and I absolutely loved it!

Price: Adults: €11.00. Under 19 – €4.50. Students & Concessions such as the Vienna Card – €9.00. Families of 2 adults & up to 3 children – €24.00

In fact, Vienna is the only city in the world where it’s been the home and inspiration of so many composers of international renown!

• Composers such as – Ludwig van Beethovan

Whilst in Vienna, we visited the Beethovan Pasqualatihaus. This house was where Beethovan lived and worked for eight (8) years of his life. Some of the pieces he worked on were his 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th symphonies, and most of all, his opera – Fidelio. The house was pretty basic and not as comprehensive  as that of Mozart. And moreover, we went on a Sunday where the Beethovan shop, and a possible tour of the building weren’t possible.

However, I found the inner yard to be quite nice and authentic!

Note that Beethovan’s apartment is on the 4th floor with no disability access. However, I found it endearing that normal Viennese people were living and gettng on with their lives in the apartments below, and next door! Note also that the original apartment was actually in the building across!

Price: Adults: €5.00. Under 19 – free of charge! Students & Concessions such as the Vienna Card – €4.00. First Sunday of every month: Free of charge! Guided tours – Free of charge!

• Johann Strauss II – Otherwise known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger, or the Son!

A composer of light music, dance music and operettas, he also composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet! In his lifetime, he was known as The Waltz King, and the reason why waltz became one of the most popular dances in Vienna and throughout Europe!

For more info: go here!

Price: Adults: €5.00. Under 19 – free of charge! Students & Concessions such as the Vienna Card – €4.00. First Sunday of every month: Free of charge! Guided tours – Free of charge!

• Joseph Hayden. More info here!
• Franz Schuber.  More info here or here!
• More here!

• Vienna has the most successful German-language musical of all time – Elisabeth, otherwise known as Sisi, the Empress of Austria – translated into 7 languages, seen by 10 million spectators worldwide, performed in 11 countries!

• The only city in the world with it’s own musical genre!
• Europe’s largest free open-air festival & party! – Danube Island Festival
• Music Film Festival on Rathausplatz – Europe’s largest culture and culinary festival!
• ImPulsTanz – Europe’s largest contemporary dance festival!
• New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

In fact, one of the musical highlights of the year is the New Year’s Day Vienna Philharmonic Concert, which is organised by the Musikverein, otherwise known as the Vienna Music Association, and hosted in the Golden Hall.

It’s such a huge deal that only the best musicians in the world are invited to perform, and tickets are so hard to get, that the waiting list is three (3) years long.

In order to make it fair and easier for international visitors, tickets for the New Year concerts are drawn by lots, at the beginning of each year!

Not only that, but hotel availability at this time is non-existent.

‘Best to book early!

Thankfully, there is a live world broadcast that is seen by up to 50 million people, in 90 countries! In fact, we watch it too!

Yes, we’ll be in our jammies, with glitter, balloons, and champagne glasses, strewn all over the house, but we never fail to sit down and watch the concert, as it’s actually so much fun!

However, Vienna today is much more than that.

Vienna has traditionally accorded the arts great respect, and over the centuries has never failed to foster creativity, and attract people from all over the world.

Vienna boasts:

• 15,000 concerts. Every year!
• 150 museums
• 60 different operas and ballets
• 50 theaters
• 4 opera houses
• Several stage theatres
• Numerous galleries as well as renowned drama, music and dance festivals
• And the largest repertoire in the world!

Vienna isn’t Berlin. Not for a single second, but you can have your music fix in a variety of places such as cafes, bookshops, wine taverns, at the Summer Night Concert in the Schönbrunn Gardens (a bit like the Proms), and even during the Vienna City Martathon where classical melodies fill the air, so that you can jog and strut your stuff, while running!

Vienna is the world capital of music everywhere.

I really can’t think of anywhere nicer!

I’ve got lots more to say about Vienna, so I’ll tell you all about it next week. If you really can’t wait, there are loads of pictures and funny quips on Twitter!

Book your hotel here!

VIENNA – THE WORLD CAPITAL OF MUSIC, MUSIC EVERYWHERE!

This article is part – sponsored by the Vienna Tourist Board and I received a press discount from the 25 Hours Hotels, but all opinions and the delightful music that we heard, are my very own! Thanks so much!

In April & May, I’ll be visiting Croatia, Sweden & Finland!

From 07.03.17 – 09.03.17, our friends – the British musical and comedy duo – Carrington Brown – will be performing Germany’s premiere of Carrington-Brown feat. The Swonderful Orchestra: Comedy meets Classics at Tipi!

I’ll be there. Will you?

If you’re not in Berlin in March, where are you?

Watch this space!

Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.

I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond, WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!

Please note that there are now affiliate links (for the very first time) connected to this post. Please consider using the links, because every time some sort of accommodation or travel insurance is booked via my links I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!

A win-win for all!