Music will be in the air throughout summer in Gastein Valley. From classical music during the Alm:Klassik and "Schubert in Gastein" festivals, to the sounds of jazz music: there will be something for all musical tastes. An absolute highlight of the summer's musical events will be a performance by German pop legend Nena in Bad Hofgastein. Here is an overview of these four highlight events.
Art festival with lots of music
As the name suggests, jazz music will be the focus during a series of musical events throughout the summer entitled "summer jazz in the city". Until 31 August, every Wednesday evening beginning at 8 p.m. on the dot, the sounds of jazz can be heard in the romantic Merangarten in the town center of Bad Gastein.
Though in fact, the musical performances are just one part of the big art and culture festival "sommer.frische.kunst", which takes place this year for the eighth time. Young artists from across Europe spend the summer months living and working in Bad Gastein, allowing themselves to be inspired by the town, its imposing architecture and the natural scenery. The works created during this time are then presented at the end of the season in a group exhibition at the historically listed power station, located next to the famous Bad Gastein Waterfall.
Nena rocks Bad Hofgastein
The highlight of this year's summer of music will undoubtedly be a concert with Nena. On 19 August, the German pop star will rock Gastein Valley as she presents her new album "Oldschool" at the Alpenarena in the town center of Bad Hofgastein. Even though her first big hit lies some 30 years back, Nena is a star who manages to excite all generations and bring them together through her music. While some were already dancing to NENA's first hits, she is also well known to younger generations through her televised appearances on a number of music shows.
Classic Concerts amid Alpine Pastures
The evening gown gives way to hiking boots, the champagne to homemade elderberry juice, and the concert hall to traditional mountain huts. Under the title "Alm:Klassik", from 22 August until 02 September guests and locals alike can look forward to the fourth edition of classical concerts presented at Gastein's mountain huts. The Kurorchester will perform classical concerts, while folk-music groups will also treat us to excerpts from their own repertoire. Always amid the open countryside of Gastein's mountain world.
Sounds of Schubert in Gastein
The cultural festival "Schubert in Gastein" is an hommage to one of Austria's most famous musicians. Austrian composer Franz Schubert actually has a very special connection to Gastein. In 1825, he traveled together his friend and court opera singer Johann Michael Vogl to Gastein. Inspired by the region's charm and the imposing mountain world, it was during this time that Franz Schubert composed such important works as "Die Allmacht" and "das Heimweh". He even dedicated his Great C-Major Symphony to Gastein Valley.
From 15 to 18 September, Camerata Salzburg presents in Gastein an excerpt of Franz Schubert's most important works. The theme of this year's program: Salzburg – 200 Years in Austria. In addition to the Schubert Café at the Europäischer Hof, the church in Böckstein as well as Preimskirche Church and St. Nicholas' Church in Bad Gastein will serve as venues for these top-notch concerts.
