Viennese Classicism and its founding trio Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven

Why was and is Vienna considered the capital of classical music? Who was instrumental in this? When was Vienna in its musical heyday? Which composers lived in Vienna at this time? The Habsburgs laid the foundations for Vienna’s position as a center of classical music . Art was particularly encouraged at the Viennese court and…

Why was and is Vienna considered the capital of classical music? Who was instrumental in this? When was Vienna in its musical heyday? Which composers lived in Vienna at this time? The Habsburgs laid the foundations for Vienna’s position as a center of classical music . Art was particularly encouraged at the Viennese court and important composers were brought to Vienna.

As the Habsburgs ruled large parts of Europe , they saw themselves as the supporters and promoters of the European art and culture. Music served as representation, as an expression of power and splendor at the imperial court. Some Habsburg emperors were even composers themselves, e.g. Leopold I and his son Joseph I. Maria Theresa, Leopold’s granddaughter, also performed as a singer at court and her son, Joseph I, was a great one. This continued until Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth.

Famous composers

Antonio Vivaldi came to Vienna from Italy and died in Vienna. Beethoven came from Bonn to Vienna as a young man to study with Mozart. It is not known whether the two ever met. The German composer Willibald Gluck was drawn to Vienna to the Habsburg court. Franz Schubert was one of the few true Viennese. In the 19th century , it was Brahms who came to Vienna.

Johann Strauss’ father and sons were born in Vienna. Anton Bruckner came to the Austrian capital from Upper Austria. Schönberg and Mahler were already in the city. All world-class composers were to be found in Vienna for many centuries and still are. Vienna’s musical heyday can be described as the period of Viennese Classicism in the 18th century . The main period was between 1780 and 1830 and Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn can be regarded as classical representatives or founders . None of the three composers were born in Vienna. However, as art was particularly encouraged at the Viennese court, they all moved there.

What was new about Viennese Classicism?

Composing was done in a simpler way , according to a certain pattern. A certain theme ran through the entire piece and was modified again and again. Sonatas and symphonies were reinterpreted and changed. The string quartet was a new addition. All four string quartets are on an equal footing, with two violins, a viola and a violin cello. Concertos and symphonies are also typical works of the Viennese Classical period. Subsequent composers such as Schubert, Brahms and Mahler did not find it easy to measure up to the ideals of Viennese Classicism . Nowadays, Vienna is also internationally known for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Musikverein with its New Year’s Concert, the State Opera and is rightly regarded as the center of European music.

Time Travel Tip: At Time Travel you get a taste of the time of the great composers in Vienna in the Waltz Hall . In the House of Music on Seilerstätte, you can immerse yourself in the musical capital of Vienna on over 4 floors. Attending a classical concert during your visit to Vienna is highly recommended. There are many different concert halls, the most traditional of which is of course the Golden Hall in the Musikverein . This is also where the famous New Year’s Concert takes place and this hall has the best acoustics in the world. More information: www.hausdermusik.com and www.musikverein.at