Want to hear a piece by Mozart in the very building he composed it in? Step this way, ladies and gentlemen: the Bösendorfer-Saal in the Mozarthaus makes it possible.
- Small venue with classical concerts, operatic performances and similar
- Concerts may include talks by experts and performers
- Annual summer piano recitals* feature work composed by Mozart while he lived on the premises
- See also: Concert venues
The concerts
The Mozarthaus is, as the name suggests, the very house where Mozart lived for three years during his long stay in Vienna.
There is something particularly charming about the idea of listening to Mozart’s music in a building that once echoed to the sound of his piano or violin, and where he entertained such musical greats as Haydn.
It’s even more charming to imagine listening to the very same pieces that Mozart composed in the building.
The Bösendorfer-Saal, a small venue tucked away inside the Mozarthaus, makes just such a unique experience possible.
Do not be alarmed, however, at the prospect of some dumbing down of the composer’s genius. These are “proper concerts” with a varied programme of pieces and performers. For example…
The summer recitals
An annual favourite (in normal years) with visitors is the Summer Concert series of afternoon piano recitals, often featuring works composed a few yards away from the Bösendorfer-Saal.
When: Usually every Tuesday and Thursday in June, July and August with online tickets available* at the time (if scheduled).
Miscellaneous concerts
The summer recitals are, of course, not the only concerts to be found in the Bösendorfer-Saal. When I last checked, the 2021 schedule included:
- Mozart Academy concerts on the theme of sonatas for violin and piano (one date featured historical instruments)
- A concert and evening complementing the theme of the current special exhibition in the Mozarthaus: Haydn – Mozart – Beethoven
Check the Mozarthaus listings for up-to-date details of all your options, as dates can shift in this tumultuous year.
Tickets and visitor tips
Ticketing arrangements depend on the concert in question, so, again, check the Mozarthaus listings for information.
Don’t forget the Mozarthaus, along with the Mozart apartment, are both worth a visit in their own right. They take you on a musical and biographical journey through Mozart’s time in Vienna and this very building.
How to get to the Bösendorfer-Saal
The Mozarthaus is a few rolls of a chocolate marzipan Mozart ball from the very centre of Vienna. See the main museum article for travel tips.
Address: Domgasse 4, 1010 Vienna