From Beethoven and Brahms to Mozart and
Mahler, Vienna’s musical pedigree stretches
back centuries — and in 2020, the Austrian
capital begins its self-declared year as the
Capital of Music, tying in with the 250th
anniversary of former resident Ludwig van
Beethoven’s birth.
The SUMMER NIGHT CONCERT by the
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gets top
billing among the musical highlights
on ofer. Held in the landscaped park of
Schönbrunn Palace, and twinned with a
show of ireworks and light efects, this is
the inal word in stirring classic concerts.
Entry is on a irst-come, irst-served basis.
The iner details of this year’s programme
— which is forecast to attract upwards
of 100,000 attendees — have yet to be
announced, but visitors can expect an
exceptional performance in a stellar setting.
Meanwhile, the must-see retrospective of
the year, BEETHOVEN MOVES, is dedicated to
the life and work of the iconic virtuoso.
On display at the Kunsthistorisches
Museum, it promises to be an insightful
look at the pioneering German composer,
showcasing artworks greatly inluenced by
his music, with his symphonies, concertos
and sonatas providing the atmospheric
soundtrack. There will also be paintings
by Caspar David Friedrich, sketchbooks by
William Turner, graphic works by Francisco
de Goya and sculptures by Auguste Rodin,
plus much more.
But it’s not all classical — the city’s
modern music scene is shaping up too, and
its new-wave musicians will be tearing it
up during a summer of free festivals and
concerts. A highlight is the METASTADT OPEN
AIR 2020 — a buzzing, four-day party (14-
July) in a former industrial building turned
events space. German rapper Sido is on the
bill, alongside British indie band The Kooks.
musik2020.wien.info HELEN WARWICK IMAGES: © WIENTOURISMUS/PETER RIGAUD; ALAMYFace music
VIENNA
The Austrian capital is hitting all the right notes as it
gears up for a year of tuneful celebrations
t he
TAKE THREE...
MUSICAL MILESTONESLOS ANGELES
Primavera Sound, the festival that
started in Barcelona then spread
to Porto, is heading out on a grand
US adventure this year, landing in
California for its 20th anniversary. The
stateside debut will spring up in LA’s
State Historic Park, with performances
by big hitters in the indie world and
smaller cult favourites (Bjork, Arctic
Monkeys and Radiohead have headlined
in previous years). 19-20 September.
primaverasound.comSALZBURG
Turning 100 in 2020, the Salzburg
Festival is a whirl of evening gowns,
aperitifs and open-air performances.
This event has gained renown with its
line-up of performances by classical
musical giants; and its centennial will be
celebrated with 200 performances of
operas, concerts and plays over 44 days,
including music by Mozart, Strauss (one
of the festival’s founders) and modern-
day greats such as Luigi Nono. 20 July-
31 August. salzburgerfestspiele.atCROATIA
Hideout Festival will be celebrating its
10th year in 2020, but while the shindig
on Croatia’s Zrce Beach might still be
something of a spring chicken compared
to the likes of Glastonbury (which turns
50 this summer), it’s carved out a name
as one of Europe’s greatest, putting
on thrilling dance acts to pumped-up
partygoers. There are beach parties,
boat parties and secret after-parties
— all with the glittering Adriatic just
metres away. hideoutfestival.comSMART TRAVELLER16 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel