1b. The mdw* at the transition from the First Republic to Austro-fascism from 1931 to 1938

September 1931

The University of Applied Sciences for Music and Performing Arts, which had existed since 1924, was abandoned and incorporated into the Academy. The house came under full ministerial control as a result of ideological divisions and political influence. All academic self-governance was thus lost: this was followed by a severe crisis and years of reform.

From this point on, the mdw* was known once again as the Vienna Academy for Music and Performing Arts.

Around 1,000 students were enrolled at the mdw* until the “Anschluss” in 1938, and they were taught by around 110 teachers.

November 1932

The ministry official Karl Kobald (1876–1957) took over as President of the Academy.

From 1932

With the introduction of new subjects like saxophone and jazz trombone, as well as plans for the establishment of a film studio, the mdw* sought to align its educational offerings with the trends of the time.

1933

With the introduction of new legislation (Federal Law Gazette. 220/1933), mdw* dependence on the state became formalised, and it was renamed the Vienna State Academy of Music and Performing Arts.

The situation for teaching staff deteriorated with new employment contracts that could, without reason, be terminated with a three-month notice period.  As a result of the ‘Double Earner Regulation’ (Federal Law Gazette 545/1933), the socio-political and ideological background of which was shaped by traditional views of women, several married female teachers at the mdw* had their contracts terminated by the academy management.

Dissolution of the Music Education Seminar and creation of the Department for Church and School Music to train young musicians who were to serve in “Church, School and Home as appointed musical leaders of the people” (Annual Report 1933/34, 6). 

From 1934

Kobald initiated the hosting of international music competitions in Vienna and endeavoured to appoint renowned educators, aiming to enhance the institution’s reputation after the years of crisis. The years leading up to the ‘Anschluss’ were characterised in particular by attempts at political influence, especially when it came to filling apprenticeship positions. Due to its special status as a federal educational institution, however, the house was not affected to the same extent by the regime’s repressive “educational program” as the universities and colleges. There were, for example, no ‘ideological’ courses or pre-military university camps.