Private Tour of Beethoven's Vienna – Retracing Original Venues with an Expert
Description
Explore places associated with the great composer and gain a better understanding of Beethoven's work. This tour immerses you in Beethoven's Vienna and the circumstances in which he wrote and premiered his music. We discover original venues that were common places during the Viennese Classical period, but are now off the beaten musical track. Beethoven is undoubtedly one of the world's best known composers. He was an uncompromising revolutionary, a staunch humanist and an artist who constantly explored and challenged the boundaries of the arts. Although he was born in Bonn, Vienna became his true home and the spiritual centre that shaped him as an artist. On this private tour we will visit the places that give us a deeper understanding of his music. Important note: As some of the venues on this tour have different opening and closing times, please understand that the content of the tour may vary accordingly. The tour may also be cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The former assembly hall of the University of Vienna - now the ballroom of the Austrian Academy of Sciences - was one of the most important concert halls in Vienna around 1800. Beethoven himself conducted Wellington's Victory here in 1813. Many famous musicians played in the orchestra, including Louis Spohr, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Giacomo Meyerbeer and Antonio Salieri. The work was composed to celebrate the decisive victory over Napoleon and its skilful use of the room's acoustics required the participation of all the musical celebrities available.
Ludwig van Beethoven lived in this house for 8 years The composed here was the opera "Fidelio" and the 5th and 6th symphonies. The small but well-known piano work "Für Elise" was also composed here.
In the Lobkowitzpalais we visit the sumptuous Eroica Hall, where the private premiere of Beethoven's "Eroica" found state in 1804.
In 1803 and 1804 Ludwig van Beethoven lived here for some time while composing his opera.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(2)
Every minute I spent with FRANK, the profound Beethoven expert during this tour was a dream come true! We walked where Beethoven walked, places where his premieres occurred even though some of them no longer exist as a natural result of 200+ years that have passed. The absolute highlight for me was Frank obtaining my special and private entrance in what used to be the Prince Lobkowitz palace, where in a small room where I stand with him in the pictures which also demonstrate the ceiling thereof, where Beethoven's 3rd Symphony in Eb major, the EROICA Beethoven first conducted a private performance on 9 June 1804, and later the first public performance on 7 April 1805. It is now aptly called the Eroica Room. The general public is not generally allowed currently in, except for Frank's very gracious arrangement with the current owners of the building! I even saw the original door to the Burg Theater where Beethoven's Ninth was performed (see picture). We went to so many places where Beethoven walked and lived. The tour ended at the Pasqualati House where Beethoven lived for 8 years! Even though, my conversation with Frank was so absorbing, we talked for a long while after that! I had a lot of add, ask since I have a devotee since I was a teenager. All in all, a dream of my life came true! Thank you once more, Frank, you made all of my dreams come alive with your tour! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ♥♥♥♥
Dear Enrique, Thank you so much for your kind words, which I will of course pass on to Frank. I am very pleased that he was able to give you such a great and memorable experience with the Beethoven tour. All the best, Julia
We booked this tour because we found the concept of walking in Beethoven's footsteps very appealing. And what a rememberable experience it was. We were able to enter the original venues where Beethoven first performed his great symphonies (some of these magnificent halls are otherwise not open to the public). It was like a journey back in time, as if we were following Beethoven on his marches to the next dress rehearsal. Our tour guide, Frank, who had an immense knowledge of Beethoven, gave us an insight into the master's life as an artist and genius, but also as a pasisonate human being who struggled with alls his strengths and weaknesses and who was a sharp witness and active shaper of his era in transition and upheaval. We strongly recommend this tour.
Dear Jean-Claude, Thank you for your wonderful review. Frank is indeed a rare specialist and we are lucky to have him working with us. I will pass on your compliments.
