"To act as a venue for the cultivation of fine music, as a meeting point
for artistic endeavour, as a home for music and a cultural centre for
Vienna." It was in this spirit that the Wiener Konzerthaus opened in
1913 and in the course of its 100 year-long history it has more than
fulfilled this task, as a place that celebrates a pluralistic culture of
music which secures the heritage of "Vienna, city of music" whilst also
providing a platform for progressive movements, jazz and music from
around the world. Additionally, the concert house built by the
architects Ludwig Baumann, Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer also
functions as a venue for various non-musical events, ranging from
political events of various colours through sporting events such as
fencing and boxing championships to culinary gatherings such as wine
fairs. The publication "Das Wiener Konzerthaus 1913-2013" takes a look
at this history from the art history, musicology and cultural studies
perspectives. Using selected case studies on the building of concert
halls in Central Europe, it demonstrates the development of a modern
building type for cultural and leisure purposes with regard to programme
design and the significance for the urban structure. Last but not least,
in so doing it also tells the story of one of Vienna's meeting places.