1d. The mdw* in post-Nazism

April 1945

After the end of the hostilities in Vienna, the first teachers and administrative staff returned to the mdw*.

May 1945

The State Office for Education appointed Hermann Gallos (1886–1957) as interim director.

June 1945

The mdw* was once again given the name Vienna State Academy of Music and Performing Arts, and Karl Kobald (1876–1957) was once again appointed as its president.

The denazification measures began, and teachers with compromising political ties were relieved of their positions.

July 1945

Lessons resumed and students of the war years were able to take their final exams. In the summer semester ending in mid-August, 434 students were enrolled.

1946

In the years that followed, the newly founded Academic Chamber Choir - later known as the Vienna Academy Chamber Choir or Vienna Academy Choir - embarked on tours in Europe and the USA.

In October, Hans Sittner (1903–1990) took over as director of the institution, a position which he held until 1971. His rectorate was instrumental during the years of reconstruction.

1947

The name was changed to Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts.

In the summer semester, more than 1,000 students were enrolled, reaching for the first time the level of the pre-war years.

1948

The Art Academy Act (BGBl. 168/48) came into effect, by which the mdw*, on account of its training of art students, was partially equated with the scientific universities of Austria.

Under the artistic direction of the mdw*, a “Viennese Cultural Week” took place as part of the Bregenz Festival.

1949

The new organisational statute (Federal Law Gazette 240/49) defined the responsibilities of the management bodies and proposed the division of the mdw* into nine departments (Music Theory and Conducting, Keyboard Instruments, String Instruments, Wind Instruments and Percussion, Solo Voice and Opera Training, Music Education, Church Music, Dance, Acting and Directing).

1952

The establishment of the special course for film design laid the foundation for today’s Vienna Film Academy.

1957/58

Renovation works were carried out in the former main building on Lothringerstraße. The annual report states:

“This marked the end of the period of reconstruction of the academy, not only in terms of its physical structure but also in terms of its internal reorganisation into an art university.” (Annual Report of the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts 1955/56-1964/65, p. 15.)