Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Travel to Berlin: Music Adventure


Berlin Musical Adventure
Between Tradition and Trend

During the legendary twenties, Berlin was the place of artists and
creative minds, pleasure seekers and lovers of culture and art, and theatre fans from around the world. Berlin’s tourist board was then already promoting itself as the “City of Music and Theatre” in their publications and posters. The breadth and variety of the cultural life shaped the burgeoning metropolis and created an extraordinary mythology; a mythology that still retains its magical appeal.

The range of cultural events on offer is staggering and extends from operas and art exhibitions to theatre productions, concerts and festivals. There are 180 museums and collections, 440 galleries, 3 opera houses and 8 large symphony orchestras, 94 cinemas, about 140 theatres and stages as well as numerous other institutions with more than 1,500 events on offer every day. For all seasons, at all hours and for every taste, Berlin has something to offer - 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Enormous Variety of Productions

As a classical music metropolis, Berlin ranks first. Renowned musicians and singers from all over the world perform regularly in Berlin or have moved to the city on the River Spree. Berlin has no less than three opera houses. Numerous productions from a variety of periods belong to the repertoires of the Deutsche Oper, Komische Oper, and the Staatsoper, the latter under the artistic direction of none other than Daniel Barenboim. The Staatsoper will probably remain housed in the Schillertheater in Charlottenburg until the summer of 2017, while its main venue at Unter den Linden is currently being extensively restored. The reopening ceremony has been planned for October 3, 2017.
www.oper-in-berlin.de


Eight symphony orchestras complement the variety on offer in Berlin. The Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra is housed in the Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt in what was previously East Berlin and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1963 near the Potsdamer Platz in former West Berlin. The latter has 2,250 seats and provides an exceptional auditory experience due to Hans Scharoun’s architectural design. The Berlin Philharmonic – one of the world’s finest orchestras – is at home here. Illustrious names such as Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado have been responsible for its development. In 2019, Kirill Petrenko will succeed his colleague Sir Simon Rattle as its principal conductor.

Outside its East End, Berlin offers even more entertainment in all of its facets. The shows in the Wintergarten draw on the magnificent variety shows that were once held in this venue at the end of the 19th century. In the Bar Jeder Vernunft and in the Tipi am Kanzleramt, chanson and jazz concerts are held, as well as regular performances by stars of the cabaret and comedy scene in an incomparably intimate atmosphere.

Great musical productions are on show at the Theater des Westens as well as the Theater am Potsdamer Platz. At the latter, the successful musical “Hinterm Horizont” by Udo Lindenberg runs until August this year. More than 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, this piece with all the great Lindenberg songs tells a touching “East-West-Side-Story”. One of the most successful productions in Berlin is the Blue Man Group. Since their Berlin premiere in 2004, the group has delighted more than 2 million viewers at this Berlin venue which is unique in Europe. The dynamic and humorous show resides at the Bluemax Theater on the Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. It functions almost without words and is accordingly a real treat for foreign visitors.

Tuesday, July 04, 2017

Travel to Vienna: Music Festivals Adventure


Vienna Music Festivals 2017

Vienna is a popular travel destination and offers many exciting venues: culinary, historical, artistic, and one of the very popular one is the music, which includes the traditional symphonic and operatic performances and a number of festivals of classical and modern and contemporary styles of music. Check out this list of festivals, so you can still book your flight and hotels to attend those still remaining festivals this year. And don't forget to visit Vienna's famous vineyards (photo above) and wine cellars. Vienna is the only metropolis that grows enough wine within its city limits to make it worth mentioning. 700 hectares of Viennese vineyards leave their mark on the cityscape and its culture of pleasure.

The remaining 2017 Vienna music festivals you can still catch:  


Jun 28-Jul 10, 2017: Vienna Jazz Festival

During summer some of the city’s most attractive locations – from the Vienna State Opera to the open air arcaded courtyard at City Hall – are transformed into jazz clubs.

Jul 1-Sep 3, 2017: Music Film Festival/Rathausplatz

Each night the festival on Rathausplatz offers top music films representing a broad range of genres from opera to pop hits on the big screen, accompanied by culinary delicacies from all over the world. Admission is free.
Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
www.filmfestival-rathausplatz.at

Jul 13-Aug 13, 2017: ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival

Europe’s largest dance festival presents a range of highlights and new work by exciting young dancers and choreographers at numerous venues throughout the capital. This avant garde summit meeting also includes a full range of workshops.

July 2017 Popfest/Karlsplatz

Popfest Wien pays homage to the sensational recent developments on the capital’s music scene, with an exclusive series of free open-air concerts by local bands in front of the Baroque Karlskirche and at various locations on and around Karlsplatz.
Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna
www.popfest.at

Aug 26, 2017: 20th Gürtel Nightwalk

For one night, one of the capital’s most popular bar strips is transformed into Vienna’s biggest music venues. Stretching from the central library on Urban-Loritz-Platz to venues B72 and Loop via Chelsea and Rhiz, the section of the Gürtel between Thaliastrasse und Josefstädterstrasse will host around 20 open-air stages ready for free performances by Austrian and international music acts. The event will play out for the 20th time in 2017.
Section of the Gürtel between the Thaliastrasse and Alser Strasse U6 stations
www.guertelnightwalk.at

Sep 28-30, 2017: Waves Vienna - Music Festival & Conference

For four days, around 100 international acts will descend on various locations in the city bringing the sounds of alternative, rock, electronic and club music with them. Part of the festival, the Waves Vienna Music conference features lectures, panel discussions and workshops.

Sep 28-29, 2017: Hollywood in Vienna, Konzerthaus

The annual Hollywood in Vienna gala at the Konzerthaus will provide an unforgettable concert complete with homage to film music.
Wiener Konzerthaus, Lothringerstrasse 20, 1030 Vienna
www.hollywoodinvienna.com

End of October-end of November 2017: Wien Modern

The Austrian capital will be transformed into a platform for the latest developments in the world of art for the Wien Modern festival. New music including world and Vienna premieres will play out at various venues throughout the city. The festival celebrates its thirtieth instalment in 2017.

November 2017: Voice Mania

The most versatile instrument of all is the human voice – as the international vocalists at the popular a cappella festival prove. The music event will take place for the 20th time in 2017.

Nov 1-30, 2017: One Month of Jazz & Blues

Jazz club festival in nine locations throughout the city

Nov 4-19, 2017: KlezMore Festival Vienna

Jewish world music from traditional sounds to contemporary Klezmer songs are at the heart of this festival. Readings, films and lectures provide the off-stage entertainment.

Mid-November-Christmas 2017: Music during Advent

The run-up to Christmas is packed with music events, from international carol singing inside City Hall and Advent and trumpet recitals in the churches, to choirs and brass bands at the capital’s Christmas markets.

December 2017: Christmas in Vienna/Wiener Konzerthaus

Acclaimed opera singers perform traditional Austrian and international Christmas melodies at this gala concert.
Wiener Konzerthaus, Lothringerstrasse 20, 1030 Vienna
www.christmasinvienna.com

Dec 30 (preview) and 31, 2017 (New Year’s concert), and Jan 1, 2018: New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Musikverein

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra ushers in the new year with a lighthearted and festive concert featuring pieces from the extensive repertoires of Johann Strauss (father and son) and their contemporaries
Musikverein, Musikvereinsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna