The Best Way to Enjoy Classical Music in Vienna, from Beethoven to Mozart (2023)
Classical music has been around for centuries (fun fact: that’s what makes it so classical), but its power to evoke emotion and stir the soul has not diminished with time. Which is just fancy talk for: it’s still cool and even more relevant than before. From the grandeur of Beethoven’s symphonies to the delicacy of Mozart’s operas, classical music has the ability to move us in ways that few other art forms can. In this article, we’ll explore how it has been used to great effect in popular culture. We’ll also take a closer look at Vienna, the birthplace of some of the most significant pieces of classical music in history, and the city’s historic concert venues that have become pilgrimage sites for musicians and music lovers from around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned classic aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, join us on a journey through the timeless beauty of Ludwig van Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Strauss and more and their enduring impact on the human soul.
What moves you?
There are some things in our life that have the power to make us feel. Joy, humor, sadness, dread, happiness, nostalgia… Some of these things can give us a small spark of those feelings. They paint a smile onto our faces, gloss our eyes or let us get lost in memories.
But then there are things that turn this small spark into an overwhelming firework. The smile turns into a fit of laughter until our stomach hurts, our glossy eyes suddenly overflow with tears and we get so lost in the past that we suddenly call that one friend we cherished so deeply back in school and haven’t spoken to in over 10 years.
But what is it? What has the power to move us in such a way?
One answer to this question, and to us the most universal one, is classical music.
Now hold on, hold on. Maybe now you think: “I know SO many people who couldn’t care less about orchestras, operas and everything in between”
That is exactly our point: you don’t need to care about it in order for it to make you feel. That’s proof of its undeniable power. This is why it is being used throughout so many aspects of our lives. As many people, who aren’t particularly familiar with this genre, don’t even realise. For those of you who do, it will come as no surprise that the emotional force of symphonies, arias, concertos and much more has been used in pop-culture for a long time.
For example:
- In the movie Shawshank Redemption from 1994, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) plays an operatic musical piece over the speakers of Shawshank prison as a sign of joy and hope in an otherwise hopeless place.
This piece happens to be “The Marriage of Figaro”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
- Colin Firth as King George the VI overcomes a seemingly hopeless struggle with his stutter during a speech over the radio, addressing the people of Great Britain during times of war. He is accompanied by a piece of classical music which not only represents the darkness of times, but also the immense difficulty of his fear of public speaking.
It was “Symphony №7”, by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Those are just two of our favourite examples out of many many more. We chose these, because they have one thing in common, apart from their undeniable beauty:
They were both written and/or completed, as well as abundantly performed in Vienna, the beautiful capital of Austria. The city that inspired some of the most important composers of human history to write some of the most meaningful and recognised pieces of classical music.
It is the birthplace of pieces like:
- Symphony №9 in D minor, Op. 125, by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Symphony №5 in C minor, Op. 67, by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 314, by Johann Strauss II
- “Cosí fan tutte”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Once you yourself set foot in this incredible city you will understand why. Every year, people from all over the world not only come to visit Vienna for this exact reason, they sometimes even come to stay. For classical musicians it is an honor and lifelong goal to perform in Vienna’s many historic venues.
One of the most famous being the St. Peter’s Church in the heart of the city.
The church was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style. In the 19th century, Peterskirche became a popular venue for concerts and recitals, thanks in part to its excellent acoustics and central location. Many of the most famous composers and musicians of the time performed here, including Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss II, and Franz Liszt.
Definitely not to play any favorites, but Liszt concert in St.Peter’s Church was reported to be so successful, that he was showered with flowers by his devoted fans. What a finale! Well done Franz.
But what makes church acoustics so special?
Here’s an example:
Have you ever heard yourself singing in your bathroom and thought to yourself: “Okay, I am the next Madonna. Let me check my bank account if my fortune has arrived yet.”
Our little tip: Try singing the same song in a church (maybe not during mass). We won’t go into too much science, but the high stone walls allow sound to reverb for a longer time, which makes it richer in depth. Your bathroom has a similar effect. Let’s call it the lite-version of acoustic phenomena.
So you take your seat within the massive halls of the St.Peter’s Church, the orchestra starts to play, the choir starts to sing and the sound bounces off the walls directly into your heart, all at the same time, all at once. This is the moment you will be overcome with joy, happiness, sadness, longing. Sometimes one, sometimes all.
It is our promise to you!
Consider this:
No matter if you are a visitor or a resident in this old, beautiful and mysterious city with its hidden alleys, ancient palaces, green parks and arguably rude waiters. Round off your walk through the beautiful Wiener Prater or your stroll through the majestic gardens of Schönbrunn with a string quartet concert of one of Mozart’s most famous pieces “Lacrimosa” in one of the most famous concert locations for classical music in the world.
Visit our online shop for a closer look into our program and to purchase your ticket to an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
