The old cliché saying “Music is in the Viennese air” is neither old nor cliché because it is true. There is something profoundly magical about the city of Vienna. Of course, you walk around and see the phony salesmen in Classical period costumes. Of course, you see monetization of the heavenly music of Mozart, Schubert and Strauss. However, in the end of the day this “air” that we are breathing is a byproduct of the commercialization of these wonderful parts of culture and of the actual amazing music created throughout the city.
People line up for hours just to find three or four euro standing room tickets to the Wiener Staatsoper, which is probably the best musical experience in Vienna, especially for the price. Also, the famous “Wiener Philharmoniker” has a thirteen-year waitlist for subscriptions to its concerts. This paints a picture of the love for music in a city a quarter the population of New York City; Proportionally, this will never be found in America.
There is something special here culturally and living in the city helps me to create a deeper love of music. Nearing the end of the last academic year I had lost some musical spark and seemed stuck in a rut. I almost had a disgust for any music earlier than Wagner in the late 19thcentury, scoffing at the boring harmony, melodies and more (shameful I know). The summer away from school allowed me some chance to reconnect, but there was still some true and sincere spark missing from my own musical creation. Arriving here, there is no other analogy to describe the sensation other than you guessed it, a light switch. Night and day, I felt embraced by this music. The harmony of Mozart and Haydn no longer seemed boring, but rather perfect and beautiful in its own ways. Living and breathing as close as I can to the source of the music has helped tremendously.
You might tell me to hold the cheese or throw whatever profane phrase you know at me, but this is just the truth. There is something about the tradition and intellect in the city that surpasses what I’ve felt before. Some logical conclusions might suggest that the musicians play with more passion and with less precision creating a livelier and humanly experience. Or some might suggest that there are more great artists coming through here than in any other city. Some might say that Vienna has all of the historical resources to realize the music in its initially intended form. All that being said, I can only explain my experience through this magical air. The air has saved my soul and I am so grateful for being given the opportunity to study in Vienna for a semester abroad.
Thoughts with David 