Babbe:Wiener Schule

Violin Education in 19th Century Vienna: Tradition Formation and Power Relations. Josef Hellmesberger Sr. held a central position in the musical life of 19th century Vienna, particularly between the Vienna orchestras and the Society of Music Friends. At the conservatory, he trained numerous violinists. He later helped many of his male students secure teaching and orchestra positions, while his female students did not benefit from such support and had to carve out their own career paths. What did these careers look like? What opportunities and challenges did the musicians face? This volume addresses these questions from various perspectives. Along with a discussion of the structures of the institutions and the topos of the 'Viennese School,' the study provides a comprehensive overview of violin education in Vienna during this period for the first time and sheds crucial light on the formation of traditions and power relations in contemporary musical life that extend into the present day.