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© Lukas Beck
Bach in Space
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 December 2026 | ||||||
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Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
Excerpts from works by Johann Sebastian Bach and others from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Goldberg Variations, French Suite No. 5 in G major, and Italian Concerto in F major accompanied by projections of impressive images of the universe
Most of what surrounds us can be analyzed, often even understood. But there is also much that is neither comprehensible nor measurable. The universe undoubtedly belongs to this. Equally incomprehensible is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The aim of a very special project is to combine the wonder of these two cosmoses: impressive images of the universe are paired with music by the universal genius Bach.
Recordings by NASA of planets, galaxies, and our Earth are shown on a large screen while Mona Asuka plays a handpicked selection of Bach’s works on the piano. The German-Japanese pianist, who performs worldwide with many renowned orchestras, shapes her musical understanding particularly through extra-musical experiences. Her performance of Bach’s works combined with the simultaneous view into the vastness of the universe will astonish the audience in a unique way. After the acclaimed world premiere at the Prinzregententheater in Munich earlier this year, Bach in Space will be presented for the first time at the Vienna Konzerthaus in April 2026.
Program and cast
Mona Asuka, piano
Wiener Konzerthaus
The Wiener Konzerthaus ( Vienna Concert House or Hall) is one of the largest and most artistically progressive institutions in international musical life. During the course of a season, which extends from September to June, some 750 wide-ranging events take place and more than 600,000 visitors can listen to around 2,500 different compositions. With this comprehensive and varied selection, the Wiener Konzerthaus – together with the Vienna State Opera House and the Musikverein – is central to Vienna’s reputation as one of the world’s leading music capitals.
From its earliest days, the Wiener Konzerthaus has held the highest cultural aims and artistic mission: «To act as a venue for the cultivation of fine music, as a meeting point for artistic endeavour, as a home for music and a cultural centre for Vienna». It was in this spirit that the Konzerthaus was inaugurated on 19 October 1913 with a festive concert attended by Emperor Francis Joseph I. To mark the occasion, Richard Strauss wrote the «Festliches Präludium op. 61», which was followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This programme combination, comprising a contemporary work and a masterpiece from the past, served as a model for the Wiener Konzerthaus’s future direction: today, too, an awareness of tradition and the joys of innovation form the main pillars of the Konzerthaus’s artistic identity.
Access to the Wiener Konzerthaus
Public transport:
Short walk from the U4 Stadtpark Station: 10 min walk from the U4/U1 Karlsplatz Station, or take the 4A bus.
From the tram and bus stops at Schwarzenbergplatz, accessed by D, 2 & 71 trams and 3A & 4A buses. The 4a bus stop is at Hotel Am Konzerthaus.
Taxi:
The nearest taxi stands are at the Hotel Intercontinental in the Johannesgasse and at Hotel Am Konzerthaus on the Heumarkt.
Restaurants next to:
Gmoakeller
Hotels in immediate vicinity:
Hotel am Konzerthaus and Intercontinental
Great Hall
In the heart of the building (which consists of more than 600 rooms) lies the Konzerthaus’s flagship, the Grosser Saal (Great Hall). Designed with a sense of space and classical balance, its stage has provided the setting for many memorable concerts over the years. In this room, artists, audiences and atmosphere blend into a harmonious triad.
Home to world-famous orchestras, virtuoso soloists, renowned conductors and legendary jazz musicians, the Great Hall can accommodate an audience of 1,800 and offers the perfect venue for a wide variety of musical activity. The Great Hall has emerged from the major renovation with renewed splendour and, despite improvements in technical installation and audience comfort has continued to conserve its original elegance. Its unique atmosphere ideally lends itself to the broad range of artistic activities offered by the Vienna Konzerthaus.
Mozart Hall
Open and relaxing, welcoming and intimate, with its incomparable appeal, the Mozart Hall constitutes a jewel of international musical life. The perfect setting for all types of chamber music, from lute and Lieder recitals to string quartets and chamber orchestras, it can accommodate an audience of around 700 – an ideal size in which to experience the intimacy of chamber music and recital performances.
The Mozart Hall enjoys world-wide acclaim on account of its unique acoustics. This distinction makes it a top favourite with leading ensembles and soloists – as well as a popular venue for recordings. This was taken into account during the major renovation of the building: as with all other rooms in the Konzerthaus, the Mozart Hall is directly linked to a recording studio and a technical control room.
Schubert Hall
With its festive character, the Schubert-Saal presents the perfect model of a music salon, the restored use of the windows follwing the renovation having returned the room to its elegant, airy appearance.
Equipped with around 320 seats, it lends itself to a wide range of chamber-music concerts, as well as to receptions, dinners and lectures. It is home to the popular lunchtime concert series, as well as to events which enable promising young musicians to experience a professional concert stage. Many a musical career has been launched in the Schubert Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus.
Seating capacity: 320
Auditorium: 240 m²
Podium: 50 m²
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