The great music city of Vienna
17th to 24th August 2009

VIENNA- the name alone evokes thoughts of great music. We spend seven days in this city steeped in history attending the String Quartet Festival in the romantic Schloss Laudon the Baroque water palace, surrounded by a splendid park, first mentioned in a document as early as 1130. We visit places associated with Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Brahms as well as the highlights of this great city. We stay in an historic apartment hotel and enjoy a variety of wonderful meals and an informal, friendly social life. Coaching for amateur musicians is by the world renowned Aron Quartet.

ACCOMMODATION
Our charming four star apartment hotel was built as a private residence in the 1870s, with two additional floors added last century. It is within walking distance or a short bus/tram ride from the Ring and historic areas and museums. Enter the hotel and you feel you are in 19th century Vienna, furnishings are in the traditional Alt Wien style. The owners are the epitome of unforgettable hospitality. These delightful studios and apartments are ideal for playing music and socialising. All have en suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, TV and direct dial phone and Wi fi internet system. A limited number of two room apartments with large living rooms are also available but need to be booked as soon as possible. On the first evening we have a Welcome cocktail party before the concert then dinner in the grill/wine cellar of our Hotel. The other meals will be in historic cellars, charming local restaurants nearby, on the delightful hotel roof garden or in the grill/wine cellar. Wine or other drinks are included. Breakfast in the hotel is an attractive, substantial buffet.

STRING QUARTET FESTIVAL in Schloss Laudon the beautiful Baroque Water Palace in the 14th District of Vienna.
 This Festival is organised by the Aron Quartet who have been associated with us since its foundation in 1998. They are one of the leading quartets in Vienna and played regularly with the Alban Berg Quartet. They have appeared throughout Europe, the USA and Mexico and Japan as well as in famous festivals including the Vienna Festival, Biennale de Venezia, Kuhmo and the Schoenberg Festival. At their recent concert in the Library of Congress in Washington D,C, they were happy to see some of our participants from previous years.  
The programme will consist of at least one Haydn Quartet each concert and quartets by Barber, Britten, Schostakovich and others. Full details will be on this page in the near future.
After the last concert there will be a Fiesta in the park of the Schloss Laudon. Music, wines and food – a great atmosphere and convivial company.
There will be two free evenings to attend a concerts, visit local musicians and play in their homes or to relax.

CHAMBER MUSIC PLAYING and COACHING:
One of the attractions in Vienna will be the coaching sessions with members of the Aron Quartet from Vienna. These wonderful musicians give special insights into an extensive range of chamber music. Playing will be scheduled five days with time for freelance playing. Local musicians will join us for playing sessions. A music library and stands are provided. Violin, viola, cello and keyboard rental is available.

EXCURSIONS
Our sightseeing will be done on foot and by public transport for which all inclusive passes are provided. Visits include:

• A walk in the Old City, its small winding streets packed with history and atmosphere. We visit the refurbished and enlarged Mozart House. In the past two years we have spent well over two hours here on our visits, everyone has found it a mine of fascinating information.
• The visit to the Beethoven Museum in Heiligenstadt is followed by a stop in a nearby Heurigen - a traditional Viennese wine garden where he spent many hours.
• The Haydn Museum in the house where he died which also has a small but interesting Brahms museum.
• The absorbing Musical Instruments Museum is always a highlight for us.
• There will be two free afternoons to visit museums of your choice or for shopping, especially for sheet music.

ACCOMMODATION
Type A - Twin/double studio apartment, en-suite bathroom, small kitchen, cable TV, phone, wi-fi internet connection in the apartment.

Type B - Two room apartment in Vienna with a spacious living room in addition to the amenities of type A. It is possible to use the sofa in the living room as a bed for a third person or so two people can sleep in separate rooms. In most cases the bedroom is accessed through the living room.

PRICE PER PERSON: (Discount of 150 euros for payment in full before 15 November 2008. For non-players a reduction of £50.)  

Type A - double/twin - 1,378 euros

Type A - single - 1,623 euros

Type B - for two people – 1,518 euros

Type B - for three people - price on request

There are only a limited number of apartments type B so you should make a reservation as soon as possible.

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PRICE INCLUDES: Accommodation with large buffet breakfast and either lunch or dinner with wine: all activities including parties, excursions including entrances to museums listed on excursions, tickets for concerts public transport tickets for the duration of your stay: coaching, the use of music stands and the music library.
Air tickets to Vienna are not included as participants come from all over the world.

To book and pay by bank to bank transfer in Euros click here.

To book and pay with a UK personal cheque or a UK online transfer in GB Pounds click here.

Prices in Pounds are calculated at £1 = 1.24 euros. Should the pound fall below 1.22 euros these will be adjusted accordingly.

We reserve the right to make changes due to circumstances beyond our control.