NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2009
Approaching a New Decade with Waltz Sounds.
New Year's Trail in Vienna, the Virtual Conductor in the Sound Museum.
The presentation of the "new" Virtual Conductor, which is the absolute show stopper at Haus der Musik, has been exceptionally successful. Clemens Hellsberg, Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, took part alongside Prof. Jan Borchers and Prof. Max Mühlhäuser, the ingenious software specialists responsible for programming the new Virtual Conductor: better quality, a wider choice and more precise interaction between conductors and orchestra.
On 31 December, we will hear waltz sounds when, in the course of the traditional New Year's Trail - which is well known and loved even beyond Vienna's borders - all visitors at Haus der Musik will be dancing into and welcoming the New Year. More than half a million visitors are expected to attend and to turn the entire City of Vienna into a huge dance floor.
The new decade also means a new, second decade for Haus der Musik. In June we commemorate our 10th anniversary - with comprehensive live-events and some surprises.
2010 will be the year of musical anniversaries: Gustav Mahler, Otto Nikolai, Hugo Wolf and, primarily, Frédéric Chopin, who will take centre stage in a special exhibition in our Sound Museum.
And here is another tip for December: The shop of the Sound Museum stocks many creative Christmas presents; not only musical items and music CDs but also fun accessories. A highly recommended present is our MemberCard, which will make a perfect gift for everyone: An entire year, the recipient will have free access to the museum and enjoy many more benefits.
 | Maestro Mehta and the new Virtual Conductor Premiere for the interactive highlight at Haus der Musik.
More than 1 million times, visitors of the Sound Museum have tried their skill at the Virtual Conductor and conducted the orchestra with the baton. The Virtual Conductor is, without any doubt, the most popular installation at Haus der Musik. It has now had a second premiere in front of press and media representatives. |
 | Supper and Moser: The Scarabeus Dream Romance and great Austrian gestures live on stage on 7 December 2009, 8 p.m.
What sounds magical and astrological is the band name of two earthly Austrians with down-to-earth names: Hannes Moser and Bernd Supper are most creative newcomers and nearly dominate the entire scene. On December 7, they will be live on stage. |
 | Singing Christmas and more Marko Simsa and Bernhard Fibich as Messengers before Christmas.
The Sound Museum as a musical seduction. This is the image Haus der Musik has, particularly, because of its sweeping concerts for children by Marko Simsa and Bernhard Fibich. Simsa is narrator, host and represents a complete artwork for himself; Bernhard Fibich is the born entertainer and "Lachwurzn". |
 | Christmas in Croatia Vitomir Ivanjek will play classical music and pop on 12 December 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Christmas Carols from Croatia - the phenomenal Vitomir Ivanjek on the piano. He has been cult for some time - as a pianist and composer, as an ingenious arranger, who, without taboos, exceeds the borders between entertainment and electronic sounds, simply by serving good music. Therefore you should not miss the Christmas concert at Haus der Musik with Vitomir Ivanjek. |
 | Musical Christmas Presents The Shop at Haus der Musik offers curious and rare items.
Be it silk scarves, coffee mugs or DVDs of past New Year's Concerts, the shop at Haus der Musik is a treasure trove for all those who are still looking for a Christmas present. Thousands of items are on offer in the shop, amongst them "Gramola" stock, one of the best record shops for classical music in Vienna. |
 | With Swing and Grand Air into the New Decade New Year's Eve at Haus der Musik. From 2 p.m. until the New Year.
The Viennese New Year's Trail will gather more than half a million music lovers and Vienna fans in the city centre, which will be turned into a huge open air ballroom. This year's celebration will be especially entertaining: Graben and Kärntner Strasse have been newly paved, making the "dance floor" even smoother and more comfortable. Moreover, there will be a surprising lighting concept: Leading from the City Hall to Haus der Musik, probably the most popular location of the New Year's Trail. |
 | Tipp: Museum Melange - Family Special Free Admission for Children
The Museum Melange is even cheaper at the advent weekends and from 24th December 2009 until 6th January 2010. Every "Melange" visitor receives a free ticket for one child (younger than 15 years) and a two-for-one ticket for the following museums: Haus der Musik, Mozarthaus Vienna, KunstHaus Wien or the Jewish Museum Vienna. All four museums offer interesting attractions on Christmas. |
