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| Music of Austria | ||||||||
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Vienna has been an important center of musical innovation. 18th- and 19th-century composers were drawn to the city due to the patronage of theHabsburgs, and made Vienna the European capital ofclassical music.Joseph Haydn,Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Ludwig van Beethoven,Franz Schubert andJohann Strauss II, among others, were associated with the city, with Schubert being born in Vienna. During theBaroque period,Slavic andHungarianfolk forms influenced Austrian music. Vienna's status began its rise as a cultural center in the early 16th century, and was focused on instruments including thelute.
Yodeling, a form of singing that involves rapid and repeated changes of register, was developed in the Alps. What Austria called it was "juchizn".
Falco was the most popular Austrian solo artist throughout the 1980s. His song "Rock Me Amadeus" reached number one of theBillboard Hot 100 in 1986. His sudden death in 1998 in theDominican Republic catapulted his music from the 1980s once again into the spotlight.
Although Austria is not exactly the biggest exporter of international rock and pop-bands, there are a few notable musicians and bands.Opus also made it in the charts worldwide as well. In the last few years, several music groups toured Europe and had commercial success in the international charts. The most prominent beingChristina Stürmer.SheSays, who supportedBryan Adams on his European tour and some other bands likeCornerstone, are notable for their recent contributions. The bandsWanda andBilderbuch became successful in the 2010s.Soap&Skin has found international recognition as well, being known for her contributions to the score of theNetflix-seriesDark, among other things.
Blackeneddeath metal trioBelphegor currently leads the Austrian metal scene, which also includesHollenthon,Pungent Stench,Abigor,Disharmonic Orchestra,Visions of Atlantis,Dornenreich,Summoning and Estatic Fear.
Christian Fennesz is an Austrian electronic musician. Other electronic musicians who call Austria home includeDer Blutharsch, active in theNeofolk scene, as areSturmpercht.
DrummerThomas Lang was born in Vienna in 1967, and has played with artists such asRobert Fripp,Geri Halliwell andRobbie Williams.
One of the few international touring bands isKilled By 9V Batteries andGasmac Gilmore[1] from Vienna.
Yearly the Waves Vienna Music Festival & Conference takes place in October. This festival is a showcase festival for European pop music acts.
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TheVienna Philharmonic is a classical music ensemble and tours throughout the year all over the world. TheirNew Year's Day concert held inVienna every year in theMusikverein is one of Europe's most important classical concerts during the year.
There is a vitalelectronic music scene in Austria. Groups and artists includeParov Stelar,Bernhard Fleischmann,Kruder and Dorfmeister andElektro Guzzi.Drum 'n' Bass also has a healthy reputation, with internationally successful Artists likeCamo & Krooked, Disaszt,Ill.Skillz andMefjus.
Neue Deutsche Härte (New German Hardness) is most popular in Austria and the rest of theGerman Sprachraum. Notable bands includeStahlhammer andL'Âme Immortelle, both of which have had some international success. The German bandSamsas Traum is now based in Austria as well.
In 2014,Conchita Wurst won theEurovision Song Contest representing Austria. Conchita Wurst is a drag queen portrayed by Thomas "Tom" Neuwirth, which sparked some controversy. Following the win, the60th anniversary Eurovision was held inVienna in 2015. This was the second Eurovision contest to be held in Austria, first one beingin 1967, after the winning performanceMerci, Chérie byUdo Jürgens.
Austria won theEurovision Song Contest a third time in 2025 with the song "Wasted Love" by Viennese opera singerJJ. Austria will host theEurovision Song Contest in 2026, with the host city set to be decided in the coming months.
Other commercially successful musicians are: