Month: September 2012

11 posts

Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente

Even if you are not a musician chances are you will still find this exhibit of instruments at the Neue Burg in the Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente, or the Collection of Early Musical Instruments quite interesting. Said to be among the largest and most significant Renaissance and Baroque collections in the world, the rare and unique instruments started from the collections of Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol. Over time, it has grown and expanded from various donations and acquisitions by the museum.

Palais Auersperg

Also known as the “Palais Rofrano” or the “Rosenkavalier Palace” (after its original owner Hieronymus Capece de Rofrano) this 18th century Baroque style palace is one of the most significant garden palaces in Vienna. It was built in the early 1700s by two famous architects and designers Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt and has been a favorite residence for the royalty. Among those who used the palace was Prince Joseph of Saxe-Hildburghausen who promptly turned it into an entertainment venue where music, balls and receptions were held regularly.

150 Years of Gustav Klimt

The year 2012 marks the 150th birth anniversary of one of Vienna’s most celebrated artists, Gustav Klimt. One of the founding fathers of the Secession Movement, Klimt has been influential to many artists and his works – the most famous of which is “The Kiss”-have inspired many reinterpretations and incorporated in various media. To honor one of its illustrious sons, Vienna (and the rest of Austria) has put together a series of special exhibitions and activities highlighting Klimt’s works and his personal life.

Long Night of the Museums

Have you ever wanted to visit as many museums as you can in one trip but didn’t want to pay all those entrance fees? If you find yourself in Vienna (or in other parts of Austria) on October 6th, here is your wonderful opportunity to cross that item off your bucket list. Austria’s museums are opening their doors for the “ORF-Lange Nacht der Museen,” (The Long Night of the Museums). A total of 670 museums, galleries and cultural institutions will be participating this year, with over 120 in Vienna alone.

Wiener Wiesn Festival

Move over, Oktoberfest. Vienna is giving Munich’s world-renowned beer festival a run for its money with its very own, featuring the wide variety of Austrian beers and many more. Started last year, the Wiener Wiesn Festival was such a resounding success that the organizers are bringing it back this year.

Listen to the Wienerlied

Every place has its own proud musical tradition or genre and Vienna has the Wienerlied. It is a unique and truly indigenous song genre that center on typical life in Vienna – Oktoberfest on the Danube Canal, sipping coffee at a small café in Hernals or meeting a lover in the Vienna Woods – these are the kinds of themes sung about in Wienerlieder (traditional Viennese songs). Both the lyrics and the melody combine the Viennese’ penchant for humour and melancholy, sarcasm and charm, along with the fascination for death and morbidity.

Golfing in Vienna

Golfers who go to Europe to play may well add Vienna on their list of great spots – with the mild climate all year round, picturesque landscapes and world class amenities the city has a number of golf clubs that can compete with the best courses around. Some are even open to the public so that you don’t have to pay for a membership pass or find someone to take you there.

Viennafair 2012

Central and Eastern European contemporary art will be on the spotlight during the 8th Viennafair happening on September 20th to the 23rd. The annual event brings together people involved in the world of art such as curators, museum directors, gallery owners, artists, critics, collectors and even those who are generally interested in art. This year the theme is “The New Contemporary” where activities and exhibitions highlight the message that the new era holds only positive and dynamic things for European art and traditional dichotomies that used to confine art and artists no longer hold.

Horse Racing in Vienna

Austria has always been known for its horses and in Vienna the competitive sport of horse racing is alive and well. The city has three active racetracks that see action on a regular basis from the time the horse race club was organized and founded in 1874. Viewing horse races in Austria has been made open to the public in 1766 by Emperor Joseph II where before it was a sport reserved for the royalty and nobility.

Esterhazy Palace

One of Austria’s shining jewels and legacies from the glorious Habsburg empire is the Esterhazy Palace, standing majestically in the town of Eisenstadt just 30 kms southeast of Vienna. The Baroque style Palais Esterhazy which was built in the 17th century and completed in the early 19th century used to be a major venue where the royalty and the elite come to mingle and party. Among its illustrious guests was famous Austrian composer Joseph Haydn who was then the court musician of the royal family.