Like others who have posted here, I don't want to miss out on any good music during the 10 days we have in Vienna, end of September-early October. We already bought our tickets for the opera and have bookmarked the Sunday masses at the Hofkapelle and Augustinerkirche. Sadly, St. Ignatius doesn't seem to have any scheduled during our visit; likewise, the giant organ concerts at St. Stephen's have a gap from Sept.3 to Dec. 29. We will go to St. Anne's but I couldn't find a concert with period instruments (we're early music fans) for a night that works for us. We'll drop into St. Peter's for an organ concert, but the evening performances of Classic Ensemble Vienna seem a bit kitsch. We're also thinking of hearing Mahler's 9th by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (we usually prefer chamber music but can't resist Mahler). Unfortunately, the Philharmonic's program doesn't appeal. There's also the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which I've never heard of, directed by Daniel Barenboim at the Musikverein and the Rising Stars series with the Janus Quartet in the Schubert Hall. Any thoughts on these last 2? I really don't want to hear another 4 Seasons (St. Charles). We probably will also do the backstage tours at the Concert Hall and Opera. There’s so much else going on while we’re there (Open House Wien, European Heritage Day, the Vienna Wine Tour, and the Long Night of the Museums) so it’s already hard to fit everything in. A great time to visit Vienna.
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4817 posts
A Mahler symphony in Vienna always gets two thumbs up.
I would attend the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra performance in a heartbeat. The concept of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is quite nice: https://west-eastern-divan.org/divan-orchestra. Daniel Barenboim is a very well-known conductor whom I saw at the Salzburg Festival several years ago. Plus... the performance is in the Großer Saal, the Musikverein's largest concert hall that is Habsburg wonderful. I don't think you will be disappointed with that performance.
The Javus Quartett performance looks interesting to me, too, but I rather enjoy string quartets. One of the pieces is a recent composition by a modern composer. Those are always... uhh... interesting... and sometimes quite good.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
That's great, Dave. I looked up the WEDO and it sounds great, concept as well as execution. For both that and the Mahler, tickets go on sale 7 weeks beforehand. Any idea how fast choice (budget) seats sell out? I've been told they sell out fast but just how fast? Sale begins midnight our time, so I'd rather wait till morning. What about St. Anne's? What do you think on performances there? (We do like string quartets.)
Sorry to burden you with more questions!
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4817 posts
The bargain Musikverein tickets do sell fast. I would expect the Mahler tickets to go super fast. I think you might have trouble getting them several hours after ticket sales open. I would be logging in at 11:59 pm to try to get them at midnight.
I went to a concert at St Anne‘s on my first visit to Vienna — in 2015. it was very atmospheric, and the musicians were skilled. It was not a concert with period instruments.
There is an orchestra called Concentus Musicus Wien that plays with period instruments (but NOT period costumes). It was begun by legendary Austrian conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt and had a stellar reputation when he led it. He passed away somewhere around 2016; it looks like the orchestra has a performance the first weekend in October at the House of Strauss, which apparently is a ballroom in an old palace that is also part casino now.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
The Concentus Musicus Wien concert sounds miouthwatering but we're leaving on the 4th. Too bad! But thank you anyway and for the ticket info. I'll do my best.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4391 posts
Dave has given you a great deal of useful advice . Depending on your time and inclination ( since you seem to be a Mahler enthusiast ) you can take the # 38 tram from the lower level of the Schottentor station to the end in Grinzing ,Now part of the city , it used to be an independent village . From the the tram stop , it's a short walk behind the Pfarrkirche ( parish church ) to the cemetery where Mahler is buried ,with his young daughter . His wife Alma rests nearby , and the story of the marriage is bittersweet ( you may know this already ) I'm eighty now and as a musician ,played a Mahler Symphony for the first time sixty years ago , in conservatory . The performance of the ninth at the Musikverein will be memorable , to say the least ,and I'll be sorry to miss it , as I'll be in Vienna for two weeks in October , but past the performance dates . I have been fortunate , though , having enjoyed the first , fourth , fifth and sixth symphonies there in years past .
Posted by
OP
19 posts
I would never describe myself as a "Mahler enthusiast," but I have researched and written extensively on Gustav and Alma's marriage. My introduction to Mahler was memorable: a boyfriend suggested we book a sound booth in our university library and read the score to Das Lied von der Erde while listening (to a rpm, of course). What a revelation! I had no idea music could be experienced that way. So I'\ve always had some affection for Mahler., and yes, if we have time, I will make the excursion. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4817 posts
My introduction to Mahler was memorable: a boyfriend suggested we book
a sound booth in our university library and read the score to Das Lied
von der Erde while listening (to a rpm, of course).
That's pretty cool!
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
2142 posts
The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is a world class ensemble and Barenboim is their founder and principal conductor. Unfortunately, Barenboim is not very well (he is 83 now and has been diagnosed with Parkinson), so there is always the possibility that another conductor could step in at the last minute.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
So sorry to hear that. Parkinson's is a dreadful disease. Thanks for the heads up.