Vienna Is Indeed A Musical City Essay Example

Austrian-Hungarian border, Vienna became a bustling center for trade.

Vienna, the capital and largest city of Austria, is located in a region famous for its geography and climate. It is one of nine states in Austria with a population of approximately 1.8 million as of July 2015 (The Purchaser's Guide to the Music Industries, 292). Vienna is the seventh largest urban center among its neighboring cities such as Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Italy. German is the dominant language spoken in Vienna. The city covers an area of 160.1 square kilometers and also has an international airport.

Vienna, located in the northeastern part of Austria near the Alps, is positioned on the edge of a transitional zone between a humid subtropical climate and an oceanic climate. The city experiences warm summers with temperatures ranging from 24 to 33 degrees, while winters are cold and relatively dry with average temperatures around freezing point.

Moderate precipitation is a common occurrence throughout the year, with mild weather in spring and autumn. Unlike other cities, Vienna does not experience snow throughout the year. Additionally, Vienna has been home to many influential musicians who have contributed to its rich music legacy. Some notable musicians born in Vienna include Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss, and Alban Berg.

Outside influences, such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Gustav Mahler (Cook, Nicholas, and Anthony 53), have greatly contributed to Vienna's rich artistic history. The city was once home to outstanding theaters, operas, and fine arts. The renowned burgtheatre stood as the pinnacle of excellence, along with smaller theaters that showcased musical performances. De Wien and volksoper were notable opera houses in Vienna, known for hosting music shows. These venues have

nurtured and showcased the talents of many musicians.

Beginning with Lotte Lenya, a future Tony Award winner, she was raised in Karoline Wilhelmina and faced difficult times with her abusive father. As a teenager, she found herself living in the ghetto. Although she possessed talent in singing, dancing, and acting, this did not guarantee her escape from the Viennese ghetto (Tschmuck 67). Fortunately, she had the chance to collaborate with fellow artists who helped nurture her skills, greatly contributing to Vienna's musical scene.

In 1930, Lotte Lenya recorded the "Alabama Song" from Weill and Brecht's The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. Marlene Dietrich, a German and American singer and actress, gained fame for her unconventional career. She achieved international recognition for her portrayal of Lola-Lola in the film The Blue Angel (1930), directed by Josef von Sternberg and produced by Paramount Pictures. Dietrich's glamorous persona made her highly respected at that time (Colley 87). Another notable figure in Vienna's music history is Hollander, who was inspired by his father to nurture his talents. He composed music as well as wrote stage scripts for operettas and comedies, although some faced criticism due to their perceived low quality.

His work involved writing theatrical and comedic musical scenes for schools and households. Vienna, known for its musical heritage, originally had German as its predominant language. However, due to the city's prominence in the music industry, many people from surrounding regions have migrated there. As a result, Vienna is now a diverse city with residents who speak different mother languages. The majority of the population (98%) speaks German, while the remaining residents belong to various ethnic groups such as

Neo Latin's, Slavs, Magyars, sinti, Slovaks, and more. The interaction between these different ethnic groups has led to the creation of universal music that is widely popular, as reported by The Purchaser's Guide to the Music Industries (89).

In summary, Vienna is unquestionably a city known for its love of music. Whether it be the locals or international visitors, the focus on music is evident. Parents actively encourage their children to pursue musical interests, resulting in a considerable number of talented young musicians. It is clear that Vienna is a truly musical city, as demonstrated by the points mentioned above.

Work cited

1. Colley, Jan. His Vienna Christmas Bride. New York: Silhouette, 2009. Internet resource.
2. Cook, Nicholas, and Anthony Pople. The Cambridge History of Twentieth-Century Music. Cambridge u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2004. Print.
3. Music USA: Review of the Music Industry and Amateur Music Participation.

Chicago, IL: American Music Conference, 1900. Print.

Berlin: Springer, 2012. Print.