House of Music, virtual conductor

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House of Music

Take yourself on a musical journey in Vienna's singular Museum of Sound – in the historical palace of Archduke Karl in the old city center. Observe the great composers, look over their shoulders as they work, confront the greatest musicians of our time, and look at the future of digital music and virtual reality.

Four floors invite you into the world of sound and noise phenomena – every day until 10.00 pm. Music is not only for listening to: in the House of Music, you can also see, feel and even create the sounds and noises yourself. Computer installations are your tour guides.

Installations and interaction

The interactive application Facing Mozart lets visitors bring to live a Mozart portrait, with the use of an application called "facetracking". Slip into his role and control his head movements and facial expressions ...

Another installation is NAMADEUS, which was created after Mozart's musical game KV 516f. The names are changed into an original Mozart interpretation. Here you can also find the fascinating, interactive Waltz Dice Game.

Haus der Musik

A virtual installation for children presents the "zookonzert", where the crocodile sings the blues, the frog dances the polka and the centipede tap-dances.

The great composers Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven float as holograms through the air.

In the case of the virtual conductor, the Vienna Philharmonic - or at least its video projection - obeys everyone who wants to try their hand at conducting. However, the professional musicians respond to an overly poor sense of rhythm with criticism. Among the music pieces to be chosen: The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss, which enchants its audience for 150 years.

Experience Music Step by Step: The fixed stairs at the beginning of the sound museum's musical tour therefore act as a piano with 13 movement-sensitive steps as keys, each illuminating the activated note on the wall panel.

The Museum of the Vienna Philharmonic

The House of Music was home to the founder and first Kapellmeister (conductor) of the Vienna Philharmonic: Otto Nicolai (1810-1849). Making it a good place for the museum and historical archive of the world-famous orchestra, which are located on the first floor.

On display in the Hall of Mirrors are testimonies to the rich history of the orchestra, such as documents of awards and the batons of famous conductors. The decree of establishment of the Vienna Philharmonic can be found in the Nicolairaum . As can the program of the first philharmonic concert of 1842, the first photo of the orchestra from 1864 and photographs of Otto Nicolai, Georg and Joseph Hellmesberger and other people who were important for the foundation of the orchestra and in the first decades of its existence.

Myperfectday: with Annemieke van Dam at the House of Music

House of Music (Haus der Musik) The Sound Museum

Seilerstätte 30
1010 Vienna
  • Vienna City Card

    • Your benefit with the Vienna City Card: -24%

      Additional information on the offer:

      Standard ticket price: 17€ / reduced ticket price: 13€

      Available on site and at ticket.viennacitycard.at

  • Opening times

    • daily, 10:00 - 22:00
    • 24.12. 10a.m. - 6 p.m., 23.03. 10a.m. - 6p.m. (5p.m. last admission)

  • Accessibility

    • Main entrance
      • no steps (Automatic sliding doors )
    • Side entrance
      • no steps
    • Elevator available
    • Further information
      • Seeing eye dogs allowed
      • Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
    • Special offers for people with disabilities

      Tours in sign language on request, as well as tours for blind and visually impaired people.

    • Comments

      Access to all exhibition rooms and café: no steps (via elevator).

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