Newsletter July 2008
The Vienna Sound Museum has recently been visited by representatives of the musical crème de la crème from Christa Ludwig to Franz Welser-Möst, General Music Director designate of Vienna State Opera, and Zubin Mehta, the renowned conductor and Honorary President of Haus der Musik.
Over the last six months, our events calendar has featured some wonderful small-scale exhibitions, multimedia installations, children's and live-on-stage programmes that were even more densely packed than before. Haus der Musik welcomed more than 75,000 visitors through its doors during the first six months of the year. This is something the whole team can be proud of.
Now we must try to live up to this achievement during the next six months and over years to come. We're writing at this time to let you know what we've got planned for September but we also want to mention that our entire permanent interactive sound world displays are going to be thoroughly refurbished and expanded over the next few years. After all, there's no other area of activity that changes as rapidly as music, particularly in the field of new digital devices.
That music and culture are the number one leisure activities of Austrians has been confirmed in a new study by research institute Market published a few days ago. Never before has interest in music been as great as it is today.
This makes us optimistic and we will do everything we can to ensure not only that Vienna remains the world capital of music but also that the Sound Museum on Seilerstätte retains its position as a truly unique music and multimedia museum.
 | From Netnakisum to Garish Live on stage concerts at Haus der Musik
Haus der Musik brings you subtle wordplay, provocative costumes and an abundance of creativity from Netnakisum and a contrast between subtlety and pandemonium from Austrian band Garish. Two insider's tips - holders of Haus der Musik members' cards can get in for free. |
 | Live on stage: Garish Poetry in August
According to German online magazine "Laut", Garish's songs, for which still, sensitive poetry singer Thomas Jarmer is responsible, "veer indulgently between melodic pop hymns, crashing guitars and bombastic orchestral textures. It's all rather reserved, in a British way, but with an unexpected rock 'n' roll beat." Garish's live act involves instruments such as the banjo, the double bass and the glockenspiel and willingly dispenses with the customary stacks of amplifiers from time to time. |
 | Beethoven Re:Loaded A reinterpretation for the 21st century
"There's something in the air. We daydream as the ground is taken from under our feet. Stefan Obermaier's take on Beethoven reveals a world between midnight and sunrise, between downfall and resurrection. Old Europe meets the new world and nothing is as it seems." |
 | "Your Humble Servant, Teddy Bear" A new star in children's music: Bernhard Fibich
Bernhard Fibich is performing at Haus der Musik on 16.09.2008. From now on, this well-known and well-loved children's singer-songwriter will feature regularly in the Sound Museum's programme of events, representing an additional attraction for children. Gschamster Diener, Teddybär (Your Humble Servant, Teddy Bear) is the title of Bernard Fibich's latest collection of songs, which has been awarded a golden CD. |
 | 20 years of Marko Simsa An anniversary programme at Haus der Musik. Experience something fantastic and astonishing!
Marko Simsa, the darling of Haus der Musik's young and young-at-heart fans, has put together a "best of" programme incorporating the best stories and the best musicians that have accompanied him in the past - plus a sprinkling of surprises. Make a note of this exciting date now: 26 September 2008, 4 p.m. |
 | A summer of music in Austria Highlights and previews
Austria's range of summer musical events is unrivalled anywhere in the world. We don't just mean the major festivals such as the Salzburg and Bregenz festivals that are marketed all over the world but also high-quality musical gems such as the new summer festival in Grafenegg, where an exceptional concert hall and open-air arena have been built, the Carinthian Summer Festival, the Styriate and the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music. Overview of highlights |
 | Tip: Rusty machines and mad fantasies Jean Tinguely at KunsthausWien
KunstHausWien, which like Haus der Musik is a member of the Wien Holding cluster of cultural institutions, opened more than 25 years ago with a Jean Tinguely exhibition. Tinguely is now returning posthumously to the venue with the largest and most sensational retrospective of his work ever. Furthermore, Wien Holding's new combination ticket, the Viennese "Kulturmelange" grants visitors admission to both Haus der Musik and KunstHausWien at significantly reduced prices under the "Two of Four" programme. |