Another aspect of Imperial Vienna

Another aspect of Imperial Austria was reflected in the reverence, & number of residences, dedicated to musicians.

Just around the corner from Stephansdom, Vienna’s cathedral, is Mozarthaus, where Mozart lived.  Turn another corner & you are in Grünangasse, named after a tavern frequented by Schubert. The Griechenbeisl, where we dined on   our wedding anniversary, counted among its past patrons the likes of Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner, Strauss & Brahms.

The Greichenbeisl

The Burggarten, next to the Hofburg Palace gives home to a Mozart Memorial. In what was the suburbs of Vienna, stands the house Haydn had built, & is now a museum dedicated to him. The Opera House has a room devoted to Mahler. References to all the classical greats can be found here in Vienna

At one point we decided to have a bit of a walk around the Stadtpark. Soon we discovered the gilded statue of Johann Strauss II. As we continued around the lake we discovered other statues of worthies, including Schubert.

Johann Strauss II

Franz Schubert

Vienna was by no means the only place with classical music references. After a few days we returned to Salzburg & to a small village called Fuschl am See. 

Salzburg, of course, is famed as the birthplace of Mozart. Sure enough, one of the first things we saw on our day trip to explore the old part of Salzburg was Mozart’s birthplace, now open to the public. Needless to say his parents lived on just one floor of this building.

Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg.

We were more surprised on a trip to another nearby village, St Gilgen, there too were reminders of Mozart. His mother apparently came from St Gilgen & his sister lived there after her marriage. As we drove into the village, we were struck by a statue of a small man playing a violin. This was Mozartplatz. Mozart apparently conducted the orchestra with his violin.  His sister’s home is now a museum to her illustrious brother. 

Mozartplatz, St Gilgen

Music abounded, with recitals everywhere. Even the village we stayed in provided twice weekly, dependent on weather, open air concerts, mainly of classical music. We did go along one evening but didn’t stay long as it was too cold.