#Vienna #Austria #Auner Quartet #Vienna Musikverein #Alexander Zemlinsky

A Unique Concert Series at Vienna's Musikverein

Vienna's esteemed Musikverein is set to host a bold concert series beginning November 25, 2026, led by the renowned Auner Quartet. This innovative project aims to shed light on composers whose contributions were overshadowed by the popular dance music of the Strauss family, and later suppressed under the Nazi regime. Peter Marboe, former Culture Councillor of Vienna and Chairman of the Alexander Zemlinsky Fund, describes the project as "a daring, exciting initiative" that seeks to explore the depths of Viennese music beyond its well-known clichés.

The series will comprise four concerts showcasing the works of composers who were largely forgotten due to circumstances relating to the political climate of their times. Central to the series is Alexander Zemlinsky, a key figure in early 20th-century music and a mentor to Arnold Schönberg. Zemlinsky had to flee Vienna in 1938 and died in exile nearly forgotten in 1942. His compositions will be a cornerstone of every concert, forming the thematic backbone of the series.

Joining Zemlinsky are his contemporaries, including the violinist and composer Mary Dickenson-Auner. Born in Dublin and educated at London's Royal Academy of Music, Dickenson-Auner faced considerable challenges during her career. Despite her significant contributions to music—such as being one of the first to perform Bartók's First Violin Sonata in Austria in 1922—she was barred from performing or teaching in Vienna as a British citizen in 1938. Many of her string quartets remain unpublished, and this concert series will present the world premiere of her works, revitalizing her legacy in a contemporary context.

The title of the concert series alludes to the enduring impact of waltzes, which resonates throughout the works of those artists pushed into obscurity. For instance, Fritz Kreisler’s "Bekenntnis zu Wien," composed in 1919 while he was in exile, reflects the city's rich musical history, which remains influential today.

The Auner Quartet, established in 2013, emerged victorious at the Eugène Ysaÿe Competition in Liège in 2018 and served as cultural ambassadors for Austria during the 2020-2021 season. Their album _Versinkende Sonne_ was recognized as Ö1's CD of the Year in 2022, further establishing their presence in the classical music scene. The quartet includes members Daniel Auner, Cristian Ruscior, Georg Wimmer, and Konstantin Zelenin. For this series, Daniel Auner will perform on a Guadagnini violin, graciously loaned by the Austrian National Bank.

The concert dates feature a rich variety of programming:

• - November 25, 2026, 20:00: Irene Suchy will read from Mary Dickenson-Auner's _Mein Musikleben_, complemented by works from F. Schubert, M. Dickenson-Auner, J. Brahms, and A. Zemlinsky.
• - February 17, 2027, 20:00: Wolfgang Böck will read from Arthur Schnitzler's _Leutnant Gustl_, alongside pieces by A. Webern, J. Strauss, A. Zemlinsky, and A. Berg.
• - March 17, 2027, 19:30: Baritone Thomas Hampson will present a bouquet of songs, performing works by H. Wolf, A. Schönberg, and A. Zemlinsky.
• - May 22, 2027, 20:00: Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz will discuss Fritz Kreisler’s _Bekenntnis zu Wien_, enhancing the evening with compositions by J. Strauss, E. Wellesz, A. Zemlinsky, and F. Kreisler.

This concert series, organized by the Kammermusikforum Wien with support from the Alexander Zemlinsky Fund, not only honors these overlooked composers but also invites audiences to reconnect with the rich tapestry of Vienna's musical heritage.

For more details on the programs, dates, and tickets, visit Auner Quartet.