BEETHOVEN CENTER VIENNA 

Ludwig van Beethoven spent most of his life in Vienna. Here he lived, here he loved and here he wrote the majority of his works. It is here that the greatness of this master will be made a personal experience.

To this end, a Beethoven Center is to be created in Vienna. It will be situated in the so-called "Eroica-Haus" at Vienna 19., Döblinger Hauptstrasse 92 and will operate in the framework of Vienna's "cultural heritage".  Ludwig van Beethoven worked here on his 3rd symphyony known as the "Eroica". This creative period comprises also work on the sonata in C major op. 53 "Waldsteinsonate" and the sonata in
F minor op. 57 "Appassionata". As the only existing Beethoven home, he 19th century "Biedermeier" house with its romantic courtyard offers itself to become this unique cultural center.

Visitors of the Beethoven Center Vienna will be offered a documentation giving an authentic picture of Beethoven's life in Vienna, in near-by Lower Austria as well as in what is Slovakia today, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Beethoven's oeuvre will be shown in detailed multi-media presentations. The show will comprise the historical and social background as well as the personalities whom Beethoven encountered and who sponsored his work. Finally, the presentation will include the women who played a decisive role in the life of the genius. The permanent exhibition will be supplemented by temporary presentations featuring original material pertaining to Beethoven, including autographs. In this way authentic objects and audiovisual presentations will be in balance.

The Beethoven Center Vienna will be a central platform for international contacts and cultural exchange with institutions and artists directing their attention in a similar way to the musical work and life of Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Center will also function as a platform for active cultural life: concerts, exhibitions and courses, especially for students, will be featured on an international basis. "Beethoven Days" will be celebrated together with the musical platform "Sound of Europe". Hopefully, also a souvenir shop will be installed.
The performances will be held in a special concert room. Up-to-date audiovisual equipment will help to stage lectures as well as social events in this historical setting.

DOCUCENTER EUROPEAN ANTHEM

One of the highlights of the Beethoven Center Vienna is a detailed documentation of  the 9th symphony, including the history of the European anthem whose melody is derived from the final movement of the Ninth. Here, a complete collection is planned - from the music and its connection to Friedrich Schiller to the decision of the European Union to declare the tune the continent's anthem. In this way the visitor will be able to understand a development spanning two centuries - with the 9th symphony being an essential part of European cultural history.

With its comprehensive program,  the Beethoven Center Vienna will be able to attract visitors from all parts of the world.

Contact:

Susanne Rittenauer, 1190 Wien, Krottenbachstraße 247, Tel./Fax: 01/440 14 53,
e-mail: s_rittenauer@hotmail.com