Europe for Music Lovers - Europe
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Europe has long been a haven for music lovers. I got to indulge in Europe's history when I toured Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic with the Seattle Youth Symphony a few years ago. It was a young musician's dream come true: to visit some of the most spectacular musical sites in Eastern Europe with peers that were equally fanatic about classical music. But you do not have to be a musician to enjoy the classical music scene in Europe. Even if you've only heard classical music on toilet paper commercials and kind of thought it was catchy, everyone can appreciate the intensity of experiencing music in its birthplace.
Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)
While it may seem quirky to visit a graveyard while traveling, a visit to the Central Cemetery in Vienna, Austria is well worth it. Europe's second largest graveyard includes the resting places for over 2.5 million people, including Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Strauss. I took an entire roll of film capturing monuments and 40 energetic young musicians trying to look "grave". When you get tired of walking around, you can pass time watching how other visitors handle posing next to tombstones. It is about a 30-minute tram ride from Vienna (Tram 71, 72 Zentralfriedholf).
London Symphony Orchestra (The Finest Orchestra in the World!)
I got a chance to attend a London Symphony concert on my second trip to Europe. I doubt the Beatles had more devoted groupies than the London Symphony has today. I was hysterical with excitement (and that's rare for me) when I heard them play Brahms's 3rd and 4th symphonies during my visit. Hearing them play is like experiencing love, triumph, chocolate, courage, virtue, ecstasy... It was easy to book tickets online with my credit card (they cost a mere 5 pounds each!) and pick them up at the counter when I arrived. Barbican Hall is easily reached on the tram. Highly recommended!
Dvorak Museum
Located in New Town, this former residence of Dvorak features scores, diaries, manuscripts, and personal belongings of the famous Czech composer. Admire the unique exterior. Fabulous concerts are held on site at 8:00 during the peak tourist season. This is superior to the Smetena Museum located in Old Town. This isn't worth making a special trip out to see, but drop by if you are in the area. Admission is inexpensive.
Mozart Figarohaus
I have a challenge for you: to visit Vienna without experiencing some W.A. Mozart. It is impossible because the locals take so much pride in being Mozart's favorite city that they play his music on the streets, sell Mozart themed chocolate, and have numerous signs that point to the Mozart Figarohaus. Visitors can wander through the apartment where Mozart composed most of his chamber music, eight piano concertos, and his renowned opera, "The Marriage of Figaro". This is located in the center of the city near St. Stephen's Cathedral. Admittingly, the displays inside are lame, but it is fun to look out of the same window that Mozart stared out of while he shaped his wonderful music. Admission during Friday afternoons and on Sundays is free!
Beethoven Haus
My backpacking buddies and I stopped in Bonn, Germany because we wanted to buy some gummy bears before we left the country (German gummy bears are amazing). As we strolled past a bakery, we noticed a model of Beethoven's head...made out of cake. We quickly discovered that Bonn was the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven! His museum contains the largest Beethoven collection in the world. Featured in over 150 exhibits are famous portraits of the artist, his musical instruments, original scores, furniture, hearing devices, and more. The original manuscripts of Moonlight Sonata and the Pastoral Symphony are kept safe under the stage of the recital hall.
A final word: Unlike the United States, which may have one orchestra per large city, every city and even smaller towns in Europe will have a handful of musical groups. Concerts are widely advertised so look for performances during your stay. There are few activities more fun than experiencing a performance in a beautiful church or concert hall. You will be sure to want an encore!
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