Enjoying the Culture 167best ways to familiarise yourself with the various musical
groups is to watch one of the several folk music shows and
contests televised throughout the country. Always in traditional
dress, folk groups sing upbeat songs. Some groups have mixed
these songs with elements of rock and blues. Favourites are
Peter Alexander, Die Knödel, the Broadlahn, Hubert von
Goisern und die Original Alpinkatzen and Attwenger.
Schrammelmusik
Heurigen, best known for their wine and hearty food, are the
natural setting for Schrammelmusik—well-loved traditional
Viennese songs accompanied by accordion, violin and many
of the guests. The very first ensemble to play such music
was formed by Johann and Josef Schrammel in the late 19th
century. Many of these songs tend to deal with death and
other life tragedies and are somewhat morbid.
Pop Music
Much of the contemporary music played on the radio is
in English. Many international popular music acts include
Vienna in their world tour schedules, and some big names
also play in Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Linz. In Vienna,
many play at the Stadthalle, Kurhalle Oberlaa, Austria Centre
and Libro Music Hall.
This does not suggest that Austria doesn’t have its own pop
music industry. Though small, it has produced internationally
famous stars. Austrians are extremely proud of Falco, who
had a Number 1 hit on the US charts in 1986 with ‘Rock
Me Amadeus’. He also scored hits with ‘Der Kommissar’
and ‘Vienna Calling’. In 1998,
at age 40, he was killed in a car
accident while on vacation in
the Dominican Republic. Yet he
remains a part of the Austrian
music scene with over a dozen
CDs and videos to his name, and
is honoured in musical tributes.
There is even a cyber musical
about him.
The ORF’s (Austrian Broadcasting
Corporation) Radio Café on
Argentinierstrasse in Vienna
has live performances that
range from jazz and folk to
literary readings. Because it is
associated with FM4, which
has many English-language on-
air programmes, a significant
number of performances are in
English. Nonetheless, do check
before going.