Gagaku - the Mystical Sounds from Japan
In the 2026 season, the Shirabe Festival will be dedicated to a very special genre: Gagaku.
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Gagaku is Japan’s oldest surviving musical tradition — imperial sounds that have resonated at court ceremonies for over 1,200 years. This “music of the gods” unfolds in slow, floating movements and mysterious tones, as Gagaku encompasses music, dance, and Shinto ritual all at once. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, today, only a few musicians still master this art. Situated between ritual and myth, Gagaku opens a sonic space that transcends time and words — foreign, fascinating, and deeply moving.
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In June 2026, this extraordinary music will merge for the first time with sounds from Austria, telling stories of forbidden love, ancient temples, and Vienna’s hidden treasures of Japan.
12th of June / 19:30
ama no gawa - Music of another World
ama no gawa – The River of Heaven is a performative concert featuring a Gagaku ensemble from Japan, based on the legend of Tanabata.
What happens when two opposing worlds collide? When a forbidden love blossoms? When the gods pass their judgment? Will a star take pity on their love?
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Lorely-Saal
10th of June / 19:30
Mysticism and Music – Japan’s Ritual Music
A unique concert experience bridging ancient ritual music and contemporary sound art: mystical Kagura-uta (Japanese songs) meet new compositions for traditional Japanese instruments. At its center is the rare kugo—a reconstructed 8th-century harp—heard for the first time in Austria, uniting past and present in a truly captivating way.
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Alte Schmiede
9th of June
Musical Workshops at the Welt Museum Wien
The Weltmuseum Wien holds unique Japanese treasures. Our Gagaku musicians — who are well-versed in the stories, myths, and legends of Japan’s oldest musical tradition and the culture of the imperial court — bring them to life in workshop concerts.
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Weltmuseum Wien
