Music Industry

Few other countries are as influenced by their musical history as Austria. The "Land of Music" draws a large part of her identity from musical accomplishments, also providing a significant economic and tourism factor. The unique link between the traditional, the contemporary and the avant garde is one of the reasons for this success.

Content:

Tradition and Innovation

Austria is the land of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Bruckner, the country of the Viennese walz and the Strauss dynasty. It is the homeland of world famous orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, the Vienna Art Orchestra and the Vienna Boys' Choir. Major events such as the New Year's Concert are broadcast across the world and form both a key part of the Austrian identity and a first class export commodity.

The history of Austrian music is also characterised by its groundbreaking avant garde position which creates the environment for constantly innovative progression. This creates a basis for synthesizing abilities, fusing different influences into a new and original work.

The discovery of twelve-tone music in Vienna by Arnold Schönberg was a milestone in music history.
Prominent individual aesthetics such as Otto M.Zykan, Gerhard Rühm, Ernst Krenek, Friedrich Cerha, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati or Anestis Logothetis are representative of a musical avant garde. The so-called "Sound of Vienna", an electronic music scene established in Vienna in the nineties, can be classed as a recent form of trail-blazing.

Next: Sectors and Structure

Author Doris Rothauer / Büro für Transfer

Last Modified 9 July 2008