Schönberg-Haus
Arnold Schönberg's residence in Mödling (1918–1925), birthplace of the twelve-tone method, with original furniture and instruments – free admission.
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About the museum
The villa in Bernhardgasse was designed in 1905 by the master builder Martin Breyer. From 1918 to 1925 the composer Arnold Schönberg lived on the raised ground floor with his family. During these years he developed his method of composing with twelve tones here, taught a large circle of pupils and made the house a meeting place of the Vienna School. At the beginning of 1926 Schönberg moved to Berlin because of a professorship at the Academy of Arts.
At the beginning of the 1970s the building was threatened with demolition. On the initiative of Walter Szmolyan and Elisabeth Lafite it was placed under heritage protection in 1972, bought by the International Schönberg Society and renovated with public funds. The Schönberg-Haus was ceremonially opened on 6 June 1974; Schönberg's heirs had donated his instruments for the purpose, and a research library was also established. Concerts, serenades and interpretation courses – led, among others, by the Schönberg pupil Rudolf Kolisch – followed.
In 1997 the society contributed the house to the newly founded Arnold Schönberg Center Privatstiftung, and in 1999 it underwent a general renovation. Today it is a branch of the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna: a permanent exhibition with pictures, text panels, video and listening stations as well as original furniture and instruments tells of Schönberg's time in Mödling and the history of the house. Since 2008 the concert hall has borne the name Lafite-Saal. In 2026/2027 the veranda and windows will be restored.
Highlights
- The apartment where Schönberg developed the twelve-tone method
- Original furniture and musical instruments from Schönberg's possession
- Video and listening stations on his life and work
- Free admission
- Annual open house in the garden on 1 May
Permanent exhibition
- Schönberg in Mödling – The permanent exhibition in the former apartment uses pictures, panels, video and listening stations, furniture and instruments to show Schönberg's life and work, his years in Mödling and the history of the house.
- Founded
- 1974
- Operated by
- Arnold Schönberg Center Privatstiftung
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bernhardgasse
From Mödling station take bus line 259 or 263 to the Bernhardgasse stop.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The Schönberg-Haus is a branch of the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna; the archive and library can only be used at the Vienna site. |
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