MuVieHist – Collecting data for a history of the Institute of Musicology at Vienna University

The Institute of Musicology at the University of Vienna, founded in 1898, is not only one of the oldest musicological institutes in the world, but also one of the most renowned. It is therefore surprising that, although there has been a great deal of detailed research to date, there has been no comprehensive history of this institution. This institute at the University of Vienna in particular occupies a special position due to its historical significance as the seat of the "Adler" chair as well as due to the unification of all sub-fields of the subject (historical, comparative and systematic musicology), which is only practised by a few institutes internationally.

However, it is not so much the institution itself that is to be the focus of the history to be written, but rather the people who have shaped this institution. While similar undertakings have so far focused mainly on the full professorships, the "invisible" figures who have made up the actual, everyday happenings will be brought to the fore here: starting with lecturers, associate professors, assistants, teaching assistants and administrative and library staff, right up to representatives of the study programmes.

Period of investigation: from the foundation in 1898 (including precursors since the establishment of a chair for the famous music critic Eduard Hanslick) to the last major university reform in 2002.

The research objectives include a collection of data and their subsequent digital processing on the institute's facilities, personalities, courses offered, teaching events, students and graduates, qualification theses (by method, sub-discipline, gender distribution etc.), furthermore audio-visual materials from various legacies (Schenk, Wessely, Graf, Pass, Zagiba).

Thus the material basis for a planned history of the institution is provided.