Vienna Music: Maestro Christroph Campestrini

Exclusive, Private Music Introduction by a celebrated Maestro in Vienna

Vienna Music Experience. Where do you find the best classical music when in town? Honestly, it’s a bit like sightseeing: the best places to visit in my home city are easy to identify. But how do you get the most out of these places? And how do you get the most out of classical music, especially in the city of music? While expert guides can change your perspective of a place, what about your perspective of music? I hadn’t asked myself this question, until I met Maestro Campestrini.

A conductor and pianist with a busy international schedule, Viennese Christoph Campestrini doesn’t just enjoy swinging the baton: “When I am on the road my main objective is to communicate, with orchestras as well as with audiences. Therefore, it is a special privilege for me to be in touch with music lovers on a one-to-one basis. I want to share my passion for the works I perform and to answer questions about these works or classical music in general. The Maestro Masterclass a wonderful way to do this and establish a link with people interested in music.”

Private Vienna Music Experience

Vienna Music Experience. To get behind the façade of the ‘city of music’, classical music fans can now pull Maestro Campestrini off his pedestal. (Because he is approachable and uncomplicated, they will find little resistance…). Quite extraordinary for an accomplished conductor Campestrini tunes his musical expertise so it resonates with each level of musical knowledge.

During his Maestro Masterclasses guests sound out Vienna’s classical tradition with Campestrini: What are the secrets of Viennese music making and what role do the arts in general play in today`s life in Austria?

‘We had an amazing time with Christoph, talking about composition, conducting and music theory. Christoph even had my son Ethan conducting while he played on the piano. Thanks to his engaging personality Christoph made the evening lots of fun.’

Lillian Martin, US-based editor and Maestro Masterclass customer 2019

1. Concert And Opera Exclusive

Vienna Music Experience. Have you ever read a music criticism of a concert or opera you attended? I sometimes do and it is as if I went to a different event. So many stunning passages, masterstrokes and embarrassing moments in the orchestra pit that I missed!

To fully savor an evening at Musikverein, Konzerthaus or the Vienna State Opera some expert insight goes a long way.

Under the personal guidance of Christoph Campestrini, guests attend one of Vienna`s outstanding concert or opera performances at the Musikverein, Konzerthaus or Staatsoper. Before the performance the Maestro will present a private individual introduction to the programme at one of the central performance venues, focusing on the historical background and the specific musical performance challenges of the works presented.

Participants can choose from a variety of available concerts or operas during their stay. Each experience is individually put together in close co-operation with the guests. During the concert Maestro Campestrini will provide reflections on the artistic interpretations at hand, in discussion during intermission as well as after the performance.

2. The Sounds of Vienna

Vienna Music Experience. Classics aficionados will enjoy an exclusive presentation of Vienna`s rich musical history by Christoph Campestrini. In a private performance and presentation from the piano the Maestro will introduce his guests to the traditions of Viennese music making: from Mozart and Beethoven to Schubert, from Strauß to Mahler.

During this first-hand experience, participants will come to understand why the most important composers were drawn to Vienna and how their presence created a world-unique performance tradition. In an entertaining and informative way Maestro Campestrini will share practical examples of what makes Viennese music making so special and what role the arts in general play in today`s life in Austria. Find out more.

‘I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time with Christoph (…). What a special person and we truly enjoyed hearing him share his insights into the different composers and their connection to Vienna. Thanks for arranging the visit for us.’

SDS, Philadelphia, Maestro Masterclass customer 2022

3. A Viennese Music Salon

Vienna Music Experience. Historically, salons were the Viennese’s idea of dinner parties. In regular intervals, aristocrats and citizens used to invite local celebrities to join in polite debates, and listen to music and theater. Mozart aria or Schubert lied: to this very day the Viennese public easily falls in love with beautiful music and charming voices.

Along with the recent revival of the Wiener Salons, Campestrini has recreated a Viennese Music Salon for private guests.

In this exploration, Maestro Campestrini in cooperation with an internationally acclaimed singer from Vienna will introduce the guests to Vienna`s rich vocal tradition: from Mozart and Beethoven to Schubert, from Strauß to Mahler.

Participants will gain a deep understanding

how opera and operetta reached an unparalleled height in this city
how Vienna created its own specific style of performance and
how the role of opera gradually evolved in Austrian society over the centuries

They will learn about the secrets of Viennese music making from some of its leading active performers. How does the approach to a Mozart aria differ from the approach to a Schubert lied? Why is it that the Viennese public to this very day is so easily enamored with beautiful voices? Participants are encouraged to join in a dialogue during the presentation.

About Christoph Campestrini

Vienna Music Experience. Christoph Campestrini unites Austria’s musical tradition and the cosmopolitan education received in New York. He studied conducting, composition, philosophy and languages at The Juilliard School and at Yale University.

The pianist and conductor now maintains an active worldwide conducting schedule, having appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, Vienna Radio Symphony, Orchestre National du Capitol de Toulouse, Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla, Prague Radio Symphony, Budapest Radio Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Cairo Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and many more.

In 2016 Christoph Campestrini was appointed Kapellmeister at the prestigious Wiener Hofmusikkapelle. Every season he is also a regular guest conductor in the United States and Canada. There, he has worked with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra Ottawa, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec and many others.