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 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.” This evening is at leisure. There will be the opportunity to attend a concert independently. 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 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. Afterwards, head to the Pasqualati House, Beethoven’s home for eight years, where he produced his sole opera, Fidelio, and worked on numerous symphonies. After lunch on your own, we will end the afternoon 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. Dr Birgit Lodes, Beethoven Scholar and Professor at the University of Vienna’s Musicological Institute, will offer further insights about Beethoven’s music alongside Martin Haselböck for a specialized screening of the Orchester Wiener Akademie’s performance of Beethhoven’s Ninth Symphony.
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. The visit continues at the Exilarte Center, a research institute that focuses on preserving the legacy of musicians and artists who were suppressed during the Third Reich. After returning to the hotel, you will head to dinner at a local restaurant to sample and savor traditional Austrian dishes. There will be the opportunity to attend a concert independently 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. After lunch, 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.
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 a farewell lunch 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 reception and end the program on a high note with a live performance at the Musikverein. You will have the opportunity to see Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis performed by the Vienna Philharmonic.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Grand Hotel Wien
Day 7
Saturday, May 25, 2024: Farewell
After breakfast individual departures home.
Included Meals: Breakfast