The doors of the underground open practically into the heart of the Gasometer's Tower C – albeit you'd need to walk through several floors of a shopping mall, and past the many fast food options to reach the conference venue “Musik im Dialog-Saal”. Built in the late nineteenth century as a gas storage facility, the building today houses a music school, music venues, and occasional academic discussions, such as Excellently Engaged that asked whether artistic excellence and societal engagement are separable at all.

Ferdinand Breitschopf, inspector for music at the Vienna Education Authority, and jury chair Karl-Gerhard Straßl provide a glimpse into the 2026 edition of the Wiener Landesjugendsingen [Vienna Provincial Youth Choir Competition]—which the mdw hosted for the first time from 21 to 23 April.

For decades, Jeff Beal has been shifting his focus back and forth between film studios and concert halls, and it was with music for productions like House of Cards that this American composer became known internationally. 13 April saw the five-time Emmy Award-winner give a master class for mdw students. In the following conversation, he speaks about artistic processes, inspiration, and how living with MS has changed his understanding of music.