2009-07-23 18:56:36 - Zell am See-Kaprun: on 8th August a new series of events kicks off on Schmittenhöhe

Friends of Alpine nature and the fine arts have to master their impatience for another two weeks. Finally, on 8th August 2009, the time of Hochkultur, an absolutely unique series of events, will have come. Since the event was already a true crowd puller in 2008, the holiday region of Zell am See-Kaprun has decided to stage the event on two consecutive weekends this year. Another difference in comparison to last year: in 2009 not only music will be in the limelight: so will theatre and arts. The venue, however, stays the same. On both weekends Hochkultur is celebrating the fine arts on the summit of 2,000-metre-high Schmittenhöhe.

High above the roofs of Zell am See and Kaprun, the focus

of the opening weekend will be on the legacy of the Strauss dynasty and on Viennese snide humour which is so characteristic for the 19th century. Two renowned ensembles - the Johann Strauss Ensemble from Linz and the quartet Neue Wiener Concert Schrammeln - will take their audiences on a musical time travel. The Johann Strauss Ensemble has gained international fame and reputation thanks to several well-received CD productions and its tours to the largest concert halls of the world. The line-up has not changed for many years now - a rare example of consistency and a proved recipe for a harmonious performance.

A one-of-a-kind concert can be expected of the musicians of the Neue Wiener Concert Schrammeln, too. The quartet consisting of Peter Uhler, Valmir Ziu, Günter Haumer, and Peter Havlicek has played together for as many as ten years. Their tours have led them to more than 25 countries where they performed their most beautiful pieces from seven CDs in front of enthralled audiences. Guests of Hochkultur can look forward to this very same pleasure. The four musicians will play a selection of traditional music of the Alpine republic. To be precise: the quartet Neue Wiener Concert Schrammeln has devoted itself to the melodies from the Austrian capital of the late 19th century. Their repertoire includes songs, marches and last but not least the famous Viennese waltz.

Hardly any other composer has had such a strong influence on waltz music as the members of the Strauss family. In commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the death of Johann Strauss Jr., Hochkultur focuses on his musical legacy. One of his descendants, his great-grandnephew Dr. Eduard Strauss, is giving an exclusive presentation for VIP guests on the life of his ancestors on 8th August. All other events of Hochkultur are free of charge. This holds true for the second weekend from 14th to 16th August, too, when the 'Theatre without a Stage' presents its play 'Trapped at the Chair Lift' on Saturday afternoon. The only thing that participants of the workshop in expressive painting on Friday are asked to pay is a fee to cover material costs.

Hochkultur ends in the same way as it started: with a true musical highlight. On Sunday at 3 pm, the traditional town band of Zell am See is performing live on stage and brings the music of Austria from Schmittenhöhe down to the valley.

For more information on Zell am See-Kaprun and picture material please go to presse.zellamsee-kaprun.com on the Internet.

Contact within the region
Guest Service Zell am See-Kaprun
Phone +43 (0)6542 - 770 0
welcome@zellamsee-kaprun.com
www.zellamsee-kaprun.com

Press contact
knoefler-journalist . media + communications GmbH
Mr. Benjamin Knöfler
Phone +49 (0)6028 - 80729 0
zellkaprun@kj-media.com
www.knoefler-journalist.com

Information summary
The holiday region of Zell am See-Kaprun with its 14,000 beds and two million overnight stays per year is one of the most important holiday destinations in Austria. The beautiful flora and fauna in the Alpine panorama and Lake Zell guarantee relaxation and well-being. Golfing, hiking, and bathing are at the focus for the summer time programme, but visitors can choose from more than 40 other activities as well. During the cold season, fun on skis and boards make sure that there is no dull moment. Skiers can comfortably reach the 138 kilometres of slopes covered with powder snow by one of the 54 lifts. Snowboarders enjoy the perfect conditions of the Snowpark on the 2,600-metre-high glacier plateau. Even in the summer you can swish down the slopes here. And family-friendliness is a top priority in Zell am See and Kaprun. For this reason, the region has already received various awards.