Beethoven and Vienna landscapes

Beethoven in Vienna and the 200th Anniversary of His Ninth Symphony

May 19–25, 2024

Pricing: $6,890 per person; For a single room add $1,200

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For more information, contact ATA at 877-298-9677 or Reservations@academic-travel.com

Overview

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Europe’s promising young musicians flocked to Vienna, producing and performing what would become the masterpieces of the Classical period. Join Chautauqua in Vienna during the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiere and explore the life and works of Beethoven in Vienna. On an itinerary curated by Professor David Levy, Beethoven scholar and regular Chautauqua speaker, we will follow in the footsteps of Beethoven to the homes where he composed, the palaces where he performed and the cafés he frequented. Vienna is also a city of great art collections; we will enjoy a visit to Gustav Klimt’s “Frieze” at the Secession Building that was inspired by Beethoven’s composition. There will be tours to the National Archives, a long-standing family-run Music publishers and a tour of the Habsburgs Historic Instruments collection. See where Beethoven sought sanctuary for his many ailments on an excursion to the spa town of Baden bei Wien and we will learn about the current state of music education in the city from Ulrike Sych, Rector of the University for Music and the Performing Arts Vienna, the world’s largest music conservatory. On the anniversary of the second performance of Beethoven’s Ninth on May 23, we will have special access to an anniversary performance by the Orchester Wiener Akademie led by its music director, Martin Haselböck at the Redoutensaal — the same venue of the performance under Beethoven’s direction in 1824. This week-long program in the city of music promises to be a veritable “Ode to Joy” for classical music lovers.

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Trip Highlights

  • Learn about Beethoven and his relationship with Vienna from David B. Levy, Professor Emeritus, Wake Forest University and author of the award-winning book, Beethoven: the Ninth Symphony (rev. ed., Yale UP, 2003)
  • Enjoy a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on the 200th anniversary of its first performance in the Redoutensaal
  • View rare treasures on a guided tour of the Collection of Historic Instruments and step into the Eroica Hall at the Palais Lobkowitz, where Beethoven premiered his Third Symphony.
  • Set off on an excursion to the spa town of Baden bei Wien, where Beethoven sought sanctuary.
  • Meet with a local university music professor to learn about current music education in Austria

Trip Expert: David B. Levy

David Levy, Ph.D. is the author of “Beethoven: The Ninth Symphony,” now in its second edition, and has been engaged in Beethoven scholarship throughout his 44-year academic career. Now retired from his roles as associate dean, department chair and professor of musicology at Wake Forest University, David served as one of the organizers of the New Beethoven Research Forums, which in pre-COVID times took place annually, beginning in 2011. He has been a frequent collaborator with Boston University’s Center for Beethoven Research and the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, Germany. David is a cherished member of the Chautauqua community who offers pre-concert lectures in advance of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra concerts and also authors concert notes published in The Chautauquan Daily. Born and raised in New York City, David earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. David’s wife, Kathy, who will also join us on this journey, serves as principal piccolo player of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.

David Levy

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 1

Sunday, May 19, 2024: Welcome to Vienna

Arrive at Vienna airport this morning and transfer to the city center. Check into the Grand Hotel Wien located on the Ringstrasse. Late this afternoon enjoy an introductory walking tour with a local guide and learn about the history of music in Vienna. Gather for a welcome dinner of Wiener Schnitzel and Apfel-strudel at a local restaurant, located close to the hotel.

Included Meals: Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 2

Monday, May 20, 2024: Musical Instruments

After breakfast listen to a presentation by Professor David Levy entitled Beethoven from Bonn to Vienna. Set off on foot with a local guide to visit the Collection of Historical Musical Instrument housed in the Neue Burg. See some of the most important Baroque and Renaissance instruments in the world, including exquisite painted harpsichords and unique string instruments, as well as pianos played by the likes of Mozart and Mahler. Enjoy some time at leisure to browse the magnificent art collection at the adjacent Kunsthistorisches Museum. After lunch on your own visit the Theatre Museum at the Palais Lobkowitz. Discover a collection of costumes, props and stage models. Beethoven was a regular performer here. Our guided tour will take us into the small ballroom where he premiered his Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Conclude your visits today at the Pasqualati House, Beethoven’s home for eight years, where he produced his sole opera, Fidelio, and worked on numerous symphonies. This evening is at leisure. There will be the opportunity to attend a concert for a supplement fee. Performance schedules will be announced nearer the time.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 3

Tuesday, May 21, 2024: Art Nouveau and music publishers

Begin today with a guided visit to the Secession Museum to view the Beethoven Frieze by Gustav Klimt, considered one of Klimt’s key works and a highlight of Viennese Art Nouveau. The Frieze was part of the Secessionist Movement’s 1902 exhibition and   based on Richard Wagner’s interpretation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Pause for lunch at Café Frauenhuber, one of Vienna’s oldest café, dating to 1824 and where Beethoven performed. Dr Birgit Lodes, Beethoven Scholar and Professor at the University of Vienna’s Musicological Institute, will offer further insights about Beethoven’s music. Later during a guided tour of Doblinger’s Music shop learn how the shop began as a music library in the era of Beethoven. View their vast selection of music sheets and books. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 4

Wednesday, May 22, 2024: Beethnoven in Heiligenstadt and musical education

After breakfast listen to a presentation by Professor David Levy entitled The Ninth Symphony’s Place in World Culture. Transfer by private coach to the northern district of Heiligenstadt, once a country village known for its therapeutic mineral springs. Discover the haunts of Beethoven, who sought a cure for his hearing difficulties. Visit the Beethoven Museum, set within the composer’s apartments, where he drafted the famous Heiligenstadt Testament. Sample local wines at the wine tavern, Heuriger Mayer am Pfarrplatz, Beethoven moved into this romantic semi-detached house in 1817. This afternoon visit the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MdW). Sit down for a talk with Ulrike Sych, Rector of the University, focusing on the current musical education at the university. There will be the opportunity to attend a concert for a supplemental fee this evening. Performance schedules will be announced nearer the time.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 5

Thursday, May 23, 2024: Ode to Joy

Take a short walk after breakfast towards the Hofburg Palace and visit the Department of Music at the Austrian National Library. The archives of the former Imperial Court Orchestra contain a vast collection of original manuscripts, letters and musical scores, testament to the rich musical life of Baroque Vienna. Our visit will focus on documents relating to Beethoven. Next visit Vienna’s most famous center for classical music and home to the Vienna Philharmonic. The Musikverein is one of the most traditional and finest concert houses in the world. After a guided tour here, enjoy an afternoon at leisure, perhaps take tea and some Viennese Sacher Torte or visit one of the many beautiful art collections within easy walking distance to the hotel. This evening gather in the Grosse Redoutensaal for a special performance by the Orchester Wiener Akademie, conducted by Martin Haselböck of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Subject to confirmation.)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 6

Friday, May 24, 2024: Baden, a spa sanctuary for Beethoven

This morning set off by private coach to visit the spa town of Baden, a town frequented by Emperor Franz I, Beethoven and other famous musicians who lived in Vienna. Visit Beethoven’s house where he composed important sections of the Ninth Symphony. Enjoy some time and lunch at leisure in this delightful spa town, before driving back to Vienna through the surrounding vineyards. Pause and pay respects to the Great Music Masters, see the graves of Beethoven and Schubert at the Zentralfriedhof. Gather for a farewell dinner at a typical Viennese inn tonight.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien

Day 7

Saturday, May 25, 2024: Farewell

After breakfast individual departures home.

Included Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary (B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner; R-reception)
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired tour manager, and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • A group transfer from the airport for those arriving according to the designated itinerary
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • Fully vetted program that meets COVID-19 health and safety protocols
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

Grand Hotel Wien

The Grand Hotel Wien is a luxurious 5-star property, part of the IHG collection, located just off the famous Ringstrasse and within easy walking distance to the Vienna Opera, many art collections, cafes, the elegant shopping street of Kaerntnerstrasse and the historic heart of the city. The hotel features five restaurants and bars and state-of-the-art spa. Guest rooms are warm and cozy, with antique furniture and elegant fabrics. The marble bathrooms are spacious with two wash basins, a bathtub and overhead shower. Walk-in showers are available on request.