Viennese Folk Music Workshop

Join us for a special Viennese Folk Music Workshop with Vienna-born musician and performer Christoph Lechner and accordionist and vocalist Herbert Bäuml, who will lead delegates on an interactive journey into the distinctive musical world of the Wienerlied.

This workshop combines live performance, cultural history, storytelling, humour, and participatory singing through the exploration of Wienerlied, a socio-cultural music phenomenon of Vienna, including its distinct language, melancholy, and social traditions that give Viennese folk music its unique character. Delegates will also be invited to learn and sing selected traditional songs alongside the musicians, experiencing this living tradition from within.

English versions of the selected songs will help international participants understand their stories and meanings before encountering the distinctive expressions and idiom of the Viennese dialect.

About Wienerleid

The Wienerlied, or Viennese song, occupies a special place in the cultural life of Austria’s capital. The genre embodies the city itself, with folk songs that are both affectionate and ironic, sentimental and humorous, familiar yet difficult to define.

Traditionally performed in taverns, wine gardens, and neighbourhood gathering places within Vienna, these songs reflect the city’s everyday life and distinctive outlook. Their lyrics are often playful in nature while combining warmth and melancholy with sharp observation, mimicking the characteristically Viennese ability to find humour in life’s disappointments.

Language is central to the tradition: while the music conveys emotions that can reach beyond linguistic and cultural boundaries, the sounds and expressions of the Viennese dialect give the songs much of their personality, Christoph Lechner and Herbert Bäuml will help participants understand this close relationship between music, place, language, and community during the session.

Introducing the Performers

Christoph Lechner performs on the Kontragitarre, a specialised acoustic harp guitar developed in Vienna in the mid-19th century, and provides vocals. The Kontragitarre is a traditional double-necked instrument that combines a six-string acoustic-guitar neck with nine additional chromatically tuned bass strings. This combination lends the instrument bass and rhythmic versatility, giving Viennese music much of its characteristic musical foundation.

A Vienna-born-and-based musician, Lechner specialises in traditional Viennese music, contemporary interpretations of the Wienerlied, and interdisciplinary cultural formats. His work combines musical performance with storytelling, humour, and audience participation.

Herbert Bäuml performs on accordion and provides both lead and harmony vocals. His accordion uses a characteristic Viennese tuning in which two sets of reeds are tuned slightly differently, creating a tonal colour associated with the sound of the two violins played by the brothers Johann and Josef Schrammel. The Schrammel brothers became celebrated composers and performers of Viennese songs and instrumental music, and their influence remains closely connected to the city’s musical identity.

Lechner and Bäuml have both devoted their musical careers to this distinctive genre. Together, they connect music and cultural heritage with contemporary performance, making the Wienerlied accessible to audiences from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

Don’t Miss This Celebration of Vienna's Musical Culture

Whether you are discovering Viennese songs for the first time or are already familiar with Austria’s musical traditions, this workshop is an engaging way to experience the city through its music, stories, humour, and language.

Join us on Saturday, November 14, 2026 for a memorable hour of local music, conversation, and cultural exchange.