# Wiener Hofmusikkapelle

The term Wiener Hofmusikkapelle refers to an establishment of musicians employed at the Habsburg's Imperial court in Vienna (Wien). The Hofmusikkapelle was established in 1498 under Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. It survived more than five-hundred years until its dissolution in 1922.

## Hofmusikkapelle History

Prior to the establishment of the Hofmusikkapelle under Maximillian I, there were already a number of professional vocal and instrumental musicians providing music for what is now termed the Burgundian-Habsburg court. Most notable among them was the organist Paul Hofhaimer and the composer and singer Pierre de la Rue. In 1490 Maximilian conquered the territory of the Tyrol and Vienna, although not setting up his court in Vienna until 1498. This was the year the Hofmusikkapelle was founded. The first music director was George Slatkonia who was already a chaplain and cantor at the court in Vienna, being also the canon and provost of the Diocese of Ljubljana. In 1498 he was appointed as the first singing master of the Hofmusikkapelle and two years later became the Hofmusikkapelle's master. Besides the singing master, two bass players and six boys were employed.
Under Emperor Ferdinand I most of the musicians of the Hofmusikkapelle were Flemish and under Ferdinand II most came from Italy. The Hofmusikkapelle flourished under subsequent emperors until about 1740, after which Maria Theresa and Joseph II restricted its role solely to liturgical music. Antonio Salieri, who taught Beethoven, was for many years in charge of music at the Imperial court.
After World War I and the end of Habsburg rule, the court musicians fell under the aegis of Austria's Ministry of Education. Boy singers were replaced by ladies of the Vienna State Opera until the Hofmusikkapelle was finally disbanded in 1922.
In 1924 music returned to the chapel building (Hofburgkapelle)in when the Vienna Boys' Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben) was established there.
Today the spirit of the Hofmusikkapelle flourishes within the confines of the Imperial chapel building (Hofburgkapelle) which is still home to the Vienna Boys' Choir. The Vienna Boys Choir regularly performs there for church services and concerts, with the participation of male singers from the chorus of the Vienna State Opera and members of the Vienna Philharmonic.

## Hofburgkapelle

An imperial chapel building was first created in Vienna in around 1287 by Albert I, built in the late Romanesque style. The building was enlarged under Albert II between 1423 and 1426. Between 1447 and 1449 it was rebuilt in a Gothic style by Frederick III. In the mid eighteenth-century Maria Theresa arranged for the chapel building to be redesigned in a late Baroque style.
* The Hofburgkapelle, looking east
* The Hofburgkapelle, looking west

### Organs

* 2001 - by Orgelbau Kuhn AG. 27 stops, 2 manuals and pedal.
* 1962 - by Walcker-Orgel. 26 stops, 2 manuals and pedal.
* 1862 - by Buckow-Orgel. 16 stops, 2 manuals and pedal.
* 1823 - by Christoph Erler. No details. This instrument was described by Vincent Novello as one of the best small organs he had ever heard.
* 1802/3 - by Johann Joseph Wiest. No details.
* 1763 - by J.F. Ferstl. 18 stops, 2 manuals.
* 1629 - by ? No details.
* The 1862 organ by Buckow now in the Vienna Technical Museum
* The 2001 Kuhn organ