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
The Song of the Temple
In Japanese, there is a word that can mean both song and poem: shi (è©©) — a character composed of “words” and “temple.”
But how do these words of the temple sound, and can a piece of music truly become a poem?
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Alte Schmiede
9th - 13th of June
Musical Tour at the World Museum Vienna
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
