Vienna mourns Walther Soyka: legendary musician of the Viennese song has died

Vienna mourns Walther Soyka: legendary musician of the Viennese song has died

On March 26, 2025, the well-known accordionist and composer Walther Soyka died at the age of 59. This was confirmed by his family, who announced that Soyka “embarked on his final journey in the early hours of the morning.” Soyka was an important figure in the Viennese music scene, known for his virtuoso playing on the harmonica and for his feel for the Viennese song.

Born in Vienna in 1965, Soyka uniquely combined tradition with modernity and classic with experiment. He began his musical career with cello and double bass before discovering the Styrian harmonica. In his early years he performed as a musician at weddings and in pedestrian zones, which laid the foundation for his later career. Over the years, his music became a central part of Viennese creativity.

Influence on the Viennese music scene

Walther Soyka was not only active as a solo artist, but also worked with many greats on the Viennese music scene. In 1983 he joined the “Extremschrammeln”, where he played for two decades. In 2010 he joined the “Neue Wiener Concert Schrammeln”. These formations join a musical heritage that combines the Viennese song with modern influences.

Peter L. Eppinger, cultural spokesman for the Vienna People's Party, praised Soyka's work and emphasized his influence on the Viennese song. Eppinger recalled his collaboration with artists such as Willi Resetarits and Ernst Molden, who became known as a kind of “supergroup”. This fusion of different generations of artists contributed to the further spread and modernization of the Viennese song.

Diverse musical work

Soyka has been involved in numerous projects throughout his career. He not only composed music for theater and films, but was also active in the production of children's operas. Particularly worth mentioning is his composition of a version of Otfried Preußler's “The Little Ghost”. He also ran his own label, Monkey Music, through which he released many of his productions.

The Viennese song, as part of Vienna's cultural landscape, tells stories of love, loss and joy and reflects the typical Viennese spirit. Soyka's music has helped to preserve the centuries-old tradition of the Viennese song and at the same time combine it with new, current themes. He also shaped the sound of folk music, which is closely linked to customs.

With his death, the Viennese music scene has lost a great artist. Walther Soyka will be remembered for his contributions to music and the bridge he built between tradition and modernity. His legacy will continue to shape and inspire the world of music, occupying a special place in Vienna's rich musical history.