Seilerstatte 30
Tel. 51648
Subway: Stephansplatz,
Stubenring
Open: 10am- 10pm daily
The Haus der Musik, located at Seilerstätte 30, 1010 Vienna, Austria, is an innovative, interactive sound and music museum in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt (1st district). Opened on June 15, 2000, it is the first museum in Austria dedicated exclusively to music and sound, occupying 5,000 square meters across five floors in the historic Palais Erzherzog Carl. This building, once home to Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic, combines Vienna’s rich musical heritage with cutting-edge technology to create a unique “musical adventure trip.” The museum explores the science of sound, the history of Viennese classical music, and interactive musical experiences, making it a must-visit for music lovers, families, and curious travelers.
Origins and Development
The Haus der Musik was conceived as a
collaborative project involving four Austrian universities, two foreign
university institutes, musicians, music theorists, multimedia artists,
sound technicians, architects, and students. This multidisciplinary
effort aimed to bridge tradition and innovation, creating a museum that
celebrates Vienna’s status as the “musical capital of the world” while
exploring sound in a scientific and interactive way. The museum opened
in 2000 and received the Austrian Museum Prize in 2002 for its
groundbreaking concept.
The Palais Erzherzog Carl, the museum’s
home, has a storied history. In the 19th century, it was the residence
of Otto Nicolai (1810–1849), who founded the Vienna Philharmonic in
1842. From 1838 to 1856, it was owned by Georg Simon Freiherr von Sina,
a prominent banker and entrepreneur. The building later housed the
University of Music and Performing Arts’ composition and conducting
departments and a phonotheque. In 1958–1960, architect Josef Krawina
transformed it into an international cultural center and student
residence, including a small theater. The final conversion into the Haus
der Musik occurred in 2000, led by Stefan Seigner under André Heller’s
management, with the city’s Wien Holding taking ownership in 2005.
Key Historical Context
Vienna’s Musical Legacy: Vienna has been a
global music hub for centuries, home to composers like Mozart,
Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, and Mahler. The Haus der Musik
leverages this heritage, focusing on Viennese Classicism and the Vienna
Philharmonic.
Otto Nicolai: The palais’ connection to Nicolai ties it
directly to the Vienna Philharmonic, whose museum and historical archive
are housed on the first floor.
Modern Era: The museum’s 21st-century
opening reflects Vienna’s ongoing commitment to cultural innovation,
complementing traditional venues like the Musikverein and Staatsoper.
Palais Erzherzog Carl
The Haus der Musik occupies the historic
Palais Erzherzog Carl, a building with a Baroque street facade and 1872
iron balconies. The interior blends historical elements with modern
design:
Baroque and Renaissance Features: A Renaissance fireplace
in the Otto Nicolai memorial room and the building’s 16th-century
origins add historical depth.
Modern Adaptations: The 1958–1960 and
2000 renovations introduced air-conditioned halls, a glass-covered
courtyard, and interactive installations, creating a functional museum
space.
Layout: The museum spans five floors, with a glassed-in
courtyard serving as the entry point and event space. Elevators and a
musical staircase (“Stairplay”) connect the levels, ensuring
accessibility.
Key Architectural Elements
Stairplay: The main
staircase transforms into an interactive piano, with 13 motion-sensitive
steps that play notes and illuminate, teaching musical notation. This
project, a collaboration with the Lang Lang International Music
Foundation since 2014, is a visitor favorite.
Glass-Covered
Courtyard: This modern addition hosts concerts, events, and group
gatherings, featuring a piano for spontaneous performances by visitors.
Concert Hall: Located on the fifth floor, this air-conditioned hall
offers superior acoustics for performances, lectures, and workshops.
The architecture balances the palais’ historical charm with contemporary
functionality, creating an inviting environment for exploration.
The Haus der Musik is organized across five floors, each with a
distinct theme, combining historical displays, interactive technology,
and immersive experiences. Below is a detailed breakdown:
Ground
Floor: Entrance and Courtyard
Features: The glass-covered courtyard
serves as the ticket office and gathering space, with a piano for
visitor use. Interactive ticket retrieval (e.g., digital vouchers) is
seamless, with the entrance just 3 meters from the ticket counter.
Stairplay: The musical staircase introduces visitors to sound creation,
setting the tone for the interactive experience.
First Floor: Museum
of the Vienna Philharmonic
Focus: Chronicles the history of the
Vienna Philharmonic, founded in 1842 by Otto Nicolai in this very
building.
Exhibits:
Historical Artifacts: The founding decree,
the 1842 first concert program, an 1864 orchestra photo, and batons of
famous conductors (e.g., Herbert von Karajan).
Memorabilia: Documents
of honors, rare instruments, and multimedia displays of the orchestra’s
New Year’s Concert and Schönbrunn Summer Night Concert in HD.
Otto
Nicolai Room: Features a Renaissance fireplace and tributes to Nicolai’s
contributions.
Interactive: A sound carpet project by Johannes
Deutsch immerses visitors in orchestral soundscapes.
Significance:
Highlights the orchestra’s elite selection process and global influence,
with the historical archive available by appointment.
Second
Floor: Sonosphere
Focus: Explores the science of sound, from its
origins to human perception.
Exhibits:
Sound Creation:
Interactive displays explain how sound arises, including what a baby
hears in the womb.
Instruments and Noise: Touchscreens and hands-on
stations allow experimentation with pitch, tones, and street
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Significance: Appeals
to children and science enthusiasts, demystifying sound’s mechanics in
an engaging way.
Third Floor: World of Great Masters
Focus:
Celebrates Vienna’s legendary composers, emphasizing their innovations
in Viennese Classicism.
Exhibits:
Composer Rooms: Dedicated
spaces for Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven,
Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss II, and Gustav Mahler, with holograms in
the lobby. Smaller displays feature Johannes Brahms, Alban Berg, and
Anton Webern.
Highlights:
Haydn: Showcases his 104 symphonies and
the anthem melody used in Germany’s national anthem.
Mozart: Features
NAMADEUS, a program that turns visitors’ names into Mozart-style
compositions.
Beethoven: Traces his hearing loss and the creation of
the 9th Symphony while deaf.
Schubert: Explores his modest
“Liederfürst” persona and small-audience performances.
Strauss II:
Highlights his role as the “Waltz King,” with operettas like Die
Fledermaus.
Mahler: Covers his visionary conducting at the Vienna
Court Opera.
Interactive: The Waltz Dice Game lets visitors compose a
waltz by rolling virtual dice, mimicking 19th-century musical games.
Significance: Offers immersive, polished presentations of Vienna’s
musical giants, with artifacts like music scores and personal items.
Fourth Floor: Virtual Conductor and Future of Music
Focus:
Combines interactive conducting with explorations of digital music and
virtual reality.
Exhibits:
Virtual Conductor: Visitors wield a
baton to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic in six pieces, including
Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March. The orchestra responds to
rhythm accuracy, humorously critiquing poor performance (e.g., a
musician admonishing overly enthusiastic conducting).
Sonotopia Lap &
Universe: A VR experience where visitors create “CLONG” sound creatures
and relax in a soundscape-filled environment.
Interactive Composer
Room: Tools like virtual pianos and computer-based programs allow music
creation.
Significance: The conducting experience is a highlight,
blending fun with education, while VR elements point to music’s digital
future.
Fifth Floor: Concert Hall and Events
Focus: A
versatile space for performances, conferences, and workshops.
Features: An air-conditioned hall with top-tier acoustics hosts:
Live
on Stage: Concerts by young indie/alternative bands, in collaboration
with the Vienna Songwriting Association.
Children’s Concerts:
Performances by artists like Marko Simsa and Bernhard Fibich.
Sinnesrauschen Spring Festival: Features indie/alternative artists.
Summa cum Laude Youth Music Festival: Showcases international youth
ensembles.
Event Rentals: Available for private events, with museum
access included.
Significance: Extends the museum’s interactive ethos
to live music, fostering new talent.
Additional Features
Shop:
Offers CDs, books, musical socks, cufflinks, and pasta shapes, open
during museum hours.
Online Shop: Allows souvenir purchases 24/7.
Beethoven’s Recipes: A quirky exhibit shares the composer’s favorite
dishes, available to take home.
Vienna’s Musical Capital
Vienna’s legacy as the home of Mozart,
Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, and Mahler is central to the Haus
der Musik’s narrative. By focusing on Viennese Classicism and the Vienna
Philharmonic, the museum reinforces the city’s identity as a global
music hub, complementing venues like the Musikverein and Staatsoper.
Innovative Approach
Unlike traditional museums, the Haus der
Musik prioritizes interaction and multimedia, making music accessible to
all ages. Its blend of historical artifacts (e.g., Vienna Philharmonic
documents) and high-tech exhibits (e.g., Virtual Conductor, Stairplay)
bridges analog and digital realms, earning praise for its “innovative
and unconventional” design.
Educational Impact
The Sonosphere
and composer exhibits educate visitors on sound science and musical
history, while interactive elements like the Waltz Dice Game and
NAMADEUS foster creativity. The museum’s partnership with the Lang Lang
Foundation underscores its commitment to music education.
Family
and Tourist Appeal
Rated highly for families, the museum’s hands-on
activities (e.g., conducting, sound experiments) engage children and
adults alike. Its Travelers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor reflects its
top 10% ranking among global attractions.
Critical Perspective
While the museum excels in interactivity, some visitors note that its
focus on classical music may overwhelm those with broader musical
interests. The wealth of information can feel repetitive after multiple
floors, suggesting a need for more diverse genres to reflect Vienna’s
contemporary music scene.
Visitor Information
Location and Access
Address: Seilerstätte
30, 1010 Vienna, Austria.
Public Transport:
Subway: U1, U2, U4 to
Karlsplatz (5-minute walk).
Tram: 1, 2, D, 71 to Kärntner Ring or
Opernring.
Bus: Stops at Karlsplatz, Kärntner Ring, or Opernring.
Walking Directions:
From Hofburg Palace: 7 minutes via Kärntner
Straße.
From St. Stephen’s Cathedral: 5 minutes via Kärntner Straße
and Seilerstätte.
Parking: Operngarage or Kärntnerstraße Garage
nearby.
Hours and Admission (2025, Subject to Change)
Hours:
Daily, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (last entry 9:30 p.m.). Reduced hours on December
24 and March 24 (10 a.m.–6 p.m., last entry 5 p.m.).
Admission:
Adults: €17 (~$18 USD).
Children (3–11): €7 (~$7.50 USD).
Children
(under 3): Free.
Students/Seniors: €13.
Family Ticket: €35 (2
adults, 3 children under 12).
Combined Ticket: €22 (with Mozarthaus
Vienna).
Evening Discount: €6.50 after 8 p.m.
Tickets: Available
online (GetYourGuide, Viator, museum website) or at the entrance. Online
booking recommended during peak seasons.
Guided Tours: Available for
deeper insights; book via office@hdm.at.
Audio Guides: Included in
admission, available in English, German, Spanish, and other languages.
Visiting Tips
Duration: 2–3 hours to explore all exhibits.
Best Time: Early morning or after 8 p.m. for fewer crowds and discounted
entry. The Virtual Conductor may have wait times during peak hours.
Photography: Permitted, enhancing the interactive experience.
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible with elevators and toilets;
indicate needs when booking.
Family-Friendly: Ideal for children due
to interactive exhibits like Stairplay and VR experiences.
Combined
Visits: Pair with Mozarthaus Vienna (5 minutes away) or Mythos Mozart
for a deeper dive into Vienna’s music heritage.
Events: Check
www.hdm.at for concert schedules (e.g., Live on Stage, children’s
performances).
Sustainability: The museum adheres to eco-friendly
practices, aligning with Vienna’s green tourism initiatives.
Mozarthaus Vienna: Mozart’s residence (1784–1787), 3 minutes away.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Vienna’s Gothic landmark, 5 minutes away.
Hofburg Palace: Includes the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, 7
minutes away.
Staatsoper: Vienna’s premier opera house, 5 minutes
away.
Annakirche: Hosts classical concerts, 3 minutes away.
The Haus der Musik embodies Vienna’s dual identity as a preserver of
classical tradition and a pioneer of cultural innovation. Its location
in the Palais Erzherzog Carl, tied to the Vienna Philharmonic’s
founding, anchors it in the city’s 19th-century musical heyday, while
its VR and interactive exhibits align with 21st-century trends. The
museum complements Vienna’s broader musical ecosystem, including the
Musikverein’s New Year’s Concert and the Salzburg Festival, reinforcing
Austria’s view of music as “an attitude to life.”
Critically, the
museum’s focus on Viennese Classicism, while authentic, could expand to
include folk music, jazz, or modern genres to reflect Austria’s diverse
musical landscape. Its reliance on technology, while engaging, risks
overshadowing quieter historical displays, suggesting a need for
balance. Nonetheless, its ability to captivate diverse audiences—from
children to classical aficionados—makes it a standout in Vienna’s
cultural scene.