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Our recent trip to Vienna: Wunderbar!

Bad German, but great trip. We had a wonderful time, thanks in part to the great advice received on this forum. We loved the Hotel Pension Suzanne - and it wasn't even a problem that it wasn't air-conditioned (it was still over 90 degrees on a couple of the days we spent in Vienna in mid Sept!) Couldn't have picked a better location.

We saw more Klimts and Schiele's than you could shake a stick at, went to the opera (great) went to the Philharmonic (even better) paid homage to Beethoven's grab (und Schubert, Mozart, J. Strauss) - it was a blast.

Had wonderful desserts and fabulous goulash and wienerschnitzel (natch). Then we moved on to France and an equally fabulous R. Steve's tour (Loire and S. France) followed by three days in Dublin.

Terrific.

Posted by
2695 posts

I must admit I was in absolute heaven with all the Klimt and Schiele in Vienna--really, all the Secession art was a major drawing point for me. Glad to hear you had a great time.

Posted by
20653 posts

For some interesting context I hope you saw the movie "Woman in Gold" If you like Klimt you might consider a trip to Peles Castle in Romania where he was responsible for the frescoes in the theater room of the castle.

Posted by
4169 posts

Now you must come here to NYC and see the portrait of Adele in person . She resides at the Neue Galerie on Fifth Avenue at 86th Street . No reproduction does her justice , as like all art , the textural qualities become two dimensional and are lost . Adele suffers from this greatly , since the three dimensional mosaics that Klimt utilized in his desire to recall Rennaisance art are completely lost in any reproduction of this painting .By the way , my wife and I are regular and frequent visitors to Williamstown , as we hold Clark membership , and when on a visit , love to spend time in the library there , and some coffee and time to read at Tunnel coffee . Glad to hear about your trip to Vienna !

Posted by
4125 posts

We've seen Adele in Vienna and at the LACMA when she was 1st returned to her owner in LA. Now perhaps a trip to NY is in order.

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip to Vienna and beyond. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by
15095 posts

Hi,

Great that you saw Beethoven's Grab and also that of Mozart, Schubert, and J. Strauss. Now, what about those of Haydn and Mahler? Haydn's House/Museum is located not far from Westbahnhof. I noticed that at least for the tourists and for popular consumption whenever I heard music in the tourist areas, such as near the Staatsoper, etc. it was always J. Strauss or Mozart....ie, basically light "stuff."

Posted by
4169 posts

Ah, Fred ! Mahler !!! For that you would have to ride the #38 tram up to Grinzing and find your way to the cemetery up the hill beyond the church . Having listened to , and performed Mahler a great deal during my carreer as classical musician , this pilgrimage touched me deeply . As far as Johann Strauss II is concerned , listen to the 2014 Vienna Phiharmonic New Years concert ( on YouTube , or better yet , buy the disc) . The overture to " Die Waldmeister " , and the " Tales from the Vienna Woods " ( with the original zither part ) are some of the most beautiful music ever . The video for " Tales " is positively inspired!!

Posted by
15095 posts

@ Steven...thanks for your comments. Well, regarding Mahler's Haus the same with Beethoven, ie, you have go outside of Wien proper to reach his house. I like Mahler's 5th, lighter and less cerebrial than his 10th, but admittedly, Mahler is beyond my comprehension.