Austria was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1957 with the song "", written by Kurt Svab and Hans Werner, and performed by Bob Martin. The Austrian participating broadcaster, (ORF), selected its entry through a national final. This was the first-ever entry from Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Before Eurovision Chansons aus Österreich Broadcaster (ORF) held a national final called Chansons aus Österreich. It took place at the in Vienna on 6 February 1957 at 20:00 CET (21:00 UTC) and was broadcast live on Österreichisches Fernsehen with a scheduled duration of two hours. The program was presented by Max Lustig. Ten entries competed. They were presented by , Elfie Friedrich, , Axel Sandy and Horst Winter. The artists were accompanied by the Österreichisches Rundfunk-Tanzorchester under the musical direction of Carl de Groof.

As the interval act, composer sang his own Wienerlied "", accompanied by the Mozart Boys' Choir.

The winner was decided by a jury composed by three music and entertainment professionals present at the venue (Max Schönherr, Marcel Prawy, Johanna Matz), three jurors giving their votes via telephone from Salzburg, Graz, and Linz, as well as by the use of a sound level meter measuring the applause from the audience.

The winning song was "" sung by Bob Martin, with music by Kurt Svab and lyrics by Kurt Svab and .

+ Chansons aus Österreich – 6 February 1957 Song Composer Lyricist Points Place""Peter WehleGerhard Bronner423""Günther LeopoldKurt Werner329""Karin Bognar397""Hanne RenzSiegfried Guggenberger348""432"" Jeff Palme423""Kurt Nachmann329"" 423""Kurt Svab531"" Herbert Seiter423

At Eurovision At the Eurovision Song Contest held on 3 March 1957 in Frankfurt, Bob Martin performed fifth, following and preceding . "" was conducted by Carl de Groof. The song received 3 votes, placing last in a field of ten. Bob Martin was succeeded as Austrian representative at the 1958 contest by "" performed by Liane Augustin.

Eurovision Song Contest 1957 was broadcast in Austria on Österreichisches Fernsehen.

Austria's choice of sending "" for its first participation and Bob Martin's performance have been interpreted as a strategy of conveying an "infantilised" image of the country in order to discharge it from responsibilities associated with its Nazi history by likening the country to a harmless, little pony.

Voting Every participating broadcaster assembled a jury of ten people. Every jury member could give one vote to their favourite song, except the one representing its country.

+ Votes awarded to Austria Score Country 2 votes 1 vote

+ Votes awarded by Austria Score Country 6 votes 3 votes 1 vote

Notes and references Notes

References

Further reading