The Harnoncourts and the Concentus Musicus

26 February 2026 – 20 January 2027

In the mid-1950s, an apartment at Josefstädter Straße 17 in Vienna became the birthplace of a musical revolution: it was here that Alice and Nikolaus Harnoncourt, together with like-minded individuals, founded Concentus Musicus – an ensemble that would change the world of music forever.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s death on 5 March 2026, the Josefstadt District Museum is now dedicating a comprehensive exhibition to the founding years of this ‘community of explorers’, curated by Claudia Stobrawa (NHZ) and Andreas Theiner (Harnoncourt’s nephew). The focus is on the pioneering period from 1953 to 1972 and the ensemble’s close connection to Josefstadt: Alice and Nikolaus Harnoncourt lived at Josefstädter Straße 17, while Kurt Theiner – violinist, photographer and Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s brother-in-law – lived with his wife Juliana (Lily) just a few houses away.

On display are personal documents, photographs by Kurt Theiner, historical instruments and handwritten notes. Particularly impressive are the album cover pages designed by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, which capture the most important events of each year in his characteristic graphic language.

The exhibition brings to life how a worldwide movement for historical performance practice began in an apartment in Josefstadt – where Brahms had previously played music and Gottfried Keller had lived.

A series of events will complement the exhibition throughout its duration.

Admission is free!

Opening hours: Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and by appointment.
Closed during school holidays.

Address: Schmidgasse 18, 1080 Vienna

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