Virtual Conductor reloaded
With an introduction by Zubin Metha himself
The "Virtual Conductor" at Haus der Musik is being revised. Director Simon K. Posch gives an overview of the redesign.
Mr. Posch, HAUS DER MUSIK is presenting a new version of its Virtual Conductor this year. Can you describe the installation for us?
None of the almost 1.5 million visitors to HAUS DER MUSIK will be able to forget this amazing and unique installation, one of the main attractions, which enables them to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic. The tempo and volume of the selected piece can be controlled by means of an infra-red baton and the world-famous orchestra plays at the behest of our visitors on a large monitor. Too fast, too slow, too imprecise? The results can be fatal. The musicians stop and complain in the middle of the piece. By contrast, visitors who show the right degree of rhythm and attention will earn the orchestra's respect.
What innovations does the new version have?
The Virtual Conductor is being completely upgraded. The developers have made some technical adaptations to increase the sensitivity and precision and we have also installed a number of new features. In the future, visitors will be able to choose from six pieces: the Blue Danube, A Little Night Music, Radetzky March and Anna's Polka, and now also Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 and the Can-Can from the Orpheus Quadrille. After the piece has been selected, Maestro Zubin Mehta, Honorary President of HAUS DER MUSIK, appears and gives some encouraging tips before the Vienna Philharmonic start playing. The visitor has a digital music stand and, as with karaoke, a red dot moves from note to note in the score so that the conductor can follow the music exactly. If the piece is played too slowly, too fast or too imprecisely, the orchestra stops playing and one of the musicians offers a critical and sometimes highly sarcastic comment. All of the 15 comments and the conductor's tips are subtitled in English. Finally, the HD film provides impressive picture quality in line with the high requirements of HAUS DER MUSIK.
How was it to work with the Vienna Philharmonis, who participated in this installation?
The collaboration couldn't have been better. It is always a pleasure to carry out projects with this unique body of musicians. The scenes criticising the conductor were a lot of fun, as this is something the musicians are not normally at liberty to do in real concerts. At all events, the orchestra once again demonstrated their openness and willingness to cooperate in innovative ideas designed to make classical music more accessible.
Who is the installation intended for, children and juveniles or also other visitors?
The Virtual Conductor is an attraction for all age groups. The fascination of interacting with the orchestra is simply too strong, and it's also a huge amount of fun, not to mention the comments by the musicians. The installation basically symbolises the philosophy of HAUS DER MUSIK as a whole, which is to present its content in an enjoyable and interactive manner and to communicate classical music in an interesting and subtle manner. If we manage to do this we can be justly proud of ourselves.
Will the Live on Stage concert series be continued and will there be any new ideas here?
The Live on Stage concert series has now become well established. The outstanding cooperation with the VSA (Vienna Songwriting Association) under Klaus Totzler means that we can be sure of sensational acts and a full house. Event Manager Christoph Gruber arranges 12 concerts per year and also has some other surprises up his sleeve (like Mondscheiner recently). Something to look forward to!
How is the cooperation with other cultural facilities and initiatives of the Wien Holding culture cluster?
The cooperation is excellent! For some years now we have had a combined ticket with Mozarthaus Vienna, which sells very well in both establishments. Last year we started the Museum Melange ticket as a further attractive product of the Wien Holding museums and we are currently promoting this. Ticket sales have been professionally organised for years through Wien-Ticket. Synergies in sales and marketing, including joint appearances at trade fairs, are also used. There is plenty of potential for developing cooperation in the future as well.
What other surprises to you have in store?
If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise! All I will say is that after the Virtual Conductor has been relaunched we shall be concentrating on restructuring the fourth floor and we are planning a highly innovative interactive project for spring 2010. I will be able to tell you more about that in a few months. HAUS DER MUSIK will have special events to mark the anniversary of Otto Nicolai, founder of the Wiener Philharmoniker, Gustav Mahler and Frederic Chopin, in 2010. And we will also be celebrating our own 10th anniversary. So there's plenty to look forward to!