The Danube Music Festival
Private concerts in palaces, churches and historic theatres
- Nine private concerts in appropriate historic buildings of charm or magnificence or historical association.
- Musicians of the highest calibre from Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Britain.
- Music of Vienna and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from the Baroque era to the twentieth century.
- Talks by a musicologist and an historian.
- The audience lives and travels on a first-class river cruiser.
- Flights from London, Birmingham or Manchester.
- Prices, which vary according to cabin type, include all the concerts, all meals, flights from the UK (optional) and much else.
Matching Music and Place
This festival combines music and architecture in a singularly beguiling way. The nine private concerts take place in palaces, churches, theatres and other historic buildings which are among the most beautiful buildings along the Danube.
But the value of the juxtaposition goes deeper than visual attraction. The buildings are generally of the same period as the music performed in them, and in some cases there are specific historical associations between the two. Matching music and place – that is the governing principle of this festival.
Now in its fifteenth year, it is established as a prestigious annual event in the musical calendar.
Musicians of the highest calibre
We have engaged musicians of the highest calibre. Most are from Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Britain.
The festival explores the music of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Smetana, Brahms and a selection of less familiar composers.
A rare intensity of musical communication
The concerts are private, being accessible exclusively to those who participate fully in the week by taking a package which includes accommodation, all meals, lectures and much else besides. (Also attending are participants on the parallel walking tour.)
And the audience is small, no more than 140. In combination with the relatively small size of the venues this leads to an informality and intimacy which engenders a rare intensity of musical communication.
Musicians love playing for this festival. Not only are the venues an inspiring change from modern concert halls, the audiences are among the best in the world – attentive, knowledgeable, appreciative.
The spoken word
Talks and lecturers are an important ingredient in the festival. Roderick Swanston, music lecturer and broadcaster, and Professor Tim Blanning, Professor of Modern European History at Cambridge, give daily talks on the music and the history of the region.
Luxurious river cruiser
To this exceptional artistic and intellectual experience is added a further pleasure, the comfort and convenience of a first-class river cruiser which is both hotel and principal means of travel.
The Amadeus Classic is one of the most modern and comfortable passenger ships on European waters, and we have chartered it exclusively for this festival. This enables you to attend all the concerts and see some of the finest scenery and townscape in the region without having to change hotels or drive long distances.
In many ways, however, this venture is far removed from the usual cruising routine: there is little regimentation, no obligatory seating plan, no on-board entertainment – and no piped music. More time is spent ashore than is conventional but there is also plenty of time to relax on board the ship.