166 CultureShock! Austria
most popular and frequently performed playwrights in
the German-speaking countries. His psychologically subtle
works, such as Liebelei and Anatol Cycle, depict the angst
and hedonism of an affluent sector of Viennese society. Der
Weg ins Freie (The Road to Freedom) is a vivid portrayal of
Viennese society and various Viennese Jews at the beginning
of the 20th century. This book is ironic and prophetic; some
of the best academicians were living in Vienna during the
rise of anti-Semitism.
Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874–1929) was a poet and a
librettist. He was a good friend of Schnitzler’s, who thought
him a true genius. His librettos were mainly written for the
composer Richard Strauss and include Ariadne auf Naxos,
Elektra and, his most famous, Der Rosenkavalier, in which
he glorified the Viennese Baroque. In his book Brief des Lord
Chandos, he explores the duality of the relationship between
the individual and the world and social and moral chaos.
Hofmannsthal also wrote Jedermann, a revival of the medieval
mystery play which is so popular that it is performed every
year at the Salzburg Festival.
Stefan Zweig (1881–1942), like Schnitzler, was interested
in the subconscious world and wrote Die Welt von Gestern
(Yesterday’s World), the evocation of a Europe that no longer
existed. He also wrote the biographies of Marie Antoinette,
Mary Stuart, Fouche and other historical figures.
Karl Kraus (1874–1936) provided more reflections of the
times in the critical periodical Die Fackel (The Torch), which
urged truth and simplicity. Later, he wrote about the period
between the wars in the revealing play Die Letzten Tage der
Menschheit (The Last Days of Mankind), whose style brought
about many changes in theatre.CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Music
Folk Music
Folk music has a long history, and its popularity is as strong as
ever. One trip to a music store with its endless rows of folk CDs
will prove it. If you want to truly immerse yourself in Austrian
culture, folk music provides a great introduction. One of the