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THE UNDERLYING IDEA
In the 1950's musicians have started to deal more and more
with the music of the Middle Ages up to the pre-classical period, to do
research and to form ensembles that were specialized in certain music
periods. The findings from this approach found their way also into the
daily work of the musicians in traditional symphony orchestras. There
is no doubt that this development had its effects on the daily work in
the orchestra.
On the assumption that the total specialization of an orchestra on a certain
period in history represents rather a decline than an enrichment of our
concert life, then we have to work on enlarging the range of style and
sound of the symphony orchestras. As Leonard Bernstein put it, a top symphony
orchestra had to be able to interpret every music in the light of its
special style with its normal instruments.
It goes without saying, that the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
with its style has an immense heritage to contribute in the search for
authentic interpretation. This is because the woodwinds and brass instruments
of this orchestra and the style of making music with it comprise very
important elements of the times back to the period before the "Wiener
Klassik".
This special style of making music is to be taught to young musicians
within the International Orchestra Institute.
Naturally, the approach to the "Wiener Klassik", the "Wiener
Romantik" and the "Wiener Schule" is not to be obtained
exclusively by means of the Viennese instruments, just as the approach
to French Music is not only possible with French instruments. The crucial
thing is the performing musician's actual stylistic approach and his fundamental
attitude to making music.
This fundamental attitude to making music, with relation to the Music
of Vienna, is what is to be taught to young musicians from all over the
world in the Attergau. From those groups of instruments for which the
equivalent French instruments are available, both foreign and Viennese
students are being invited.
Herewith we demonstrate that is is absolutely possible to phrase in the
sense of the Viennese tradition also with French instruments. The students
learn to contribute these stylistic particularities into their music performance,
however with their own individual sound.
Under no circumstances will the students be persuaded to a change of their
instruments or of their basic technique. The study offer is not to bring
about a change but rather an enrichment of the possibilities of interpretation.
Last but not least, the Orchestra Institute Attergau sees itself also
as a representative of Austria and its music culture. Here, in this country
where the famous composers of the "Wiener Klassik", the "Wiener
Romantik" and the "Wiener Schule" made their listening
experiences and created their compositions with this sound in their minds,
the students from all over the world are to be shown that a continuous
music tradition goes on worth to be discovered. Additionally, we are extremely
lucky, that it is possible to do so in such a wonderful surrounding as
is the Salzkammergut with its lake Attersee.
Attersee, Salzkammergut
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