Mozarteum University Salzburg, or officially in German Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, is one of three affiliated but separate entities under the “Mozarteum” moniker in Salzburg municipality. It specializes in music and the dramatic arts and, like its affiliates, was established in honour of Salzburg-born musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
History and clarification
In 1841, Mozart's widow Constanze Weber Mozart founded the first of the “Mozarteum” entities: the “Cathedral Music Association and Mozarteum,” whose mission was the “refinement of musical taste with regard to sacred music and concerts.” The association operated as predecessor to the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg through the 19th century and was at the heart of the city’s musical life, offering concerts and related activities. It assumed its present name in 1908. The International Mozarteum Foundation came next, toward the end of the 19th century. It built, and to this day maintains, a sizeable elegant office building on Schwarzstraße to which are attached two concert halls. Construction took place between 1910 and 1914 to a design by Municharchitect Richard Berndl. The larger of the two halls is itself known as the “Mozarteum” and is world-renowned; its proper name is simply “Großer Saal.” The smaller hall is the “Wiener Saal.” Besides maintaining this complex, the foundation runs two museums devoted to Mozart as well as an annual January music festival devoted to Mozart’s music. The more recently rebuilt main building is at Mirabellplatz 1.
Organ of the Großer Saal
The original 100-rank grand concert hall organ was built by the Austrian firm Rieger in 1914. A completely new organ in neo-Baroque style was installed in 1970 by E. F. Walcker & Cie. This was dismantled in 2008. In 2010 a new 50-stop tracker action organ was installed by Hermann Eule Orgelbau, Bautzen, and the 1914 façade for the instrument was reconstructed.
Organ of the Wiener Saal
The pipe organ in the “Wiener Saal” small concert hall, invisibly located in an organ chamber above the stage, was built in 1914 by Rieger with 25 stops and electro-pneumatic action. It was rebuilt in 1941, including a new console and some neobaroque modifications. The organ is in bad condition, but still playable.
