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| Vienna Konzerthaus | |||||||||
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| Historical | |||||||||
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| The Vienna Konzerthaus is one of the largest and most
artistically progressive institutions in international musical life.
During the course of a season, which extends from September to June,
some 750 wide-ranging events take place and more than 600,000 visitors
can listen to around 2,500 different compositions. With this
comprehensive and varied selection, the Vienna Konzerthaus – together
with the Vienna State Opera House and the Musikverein – is central to
Vienna’s reputation as one of the world’s leading music capitals. From its earliest days, the Vienna Konzerthaus has held the highest cultural aims and artistic mission: «To act as a venue for the cultivation of fine music, as a meeting point for artistic endeavour, as a home for music and a cultural centre for Vienna». It was in this spirit that the Konzerthaus was inaugurated on 19 October 1913 with a festive concert attended by Emperor Francis Joseph I. To mark the occasion, Richard Strauss wrote the «Festliches Präludium op. 61», which was followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This programme combination, comprising a contemporary work and a masterpiece from the past, served as a model for the Vienna Konzerthaus’s future direction: today, too, an awareness of tradition and the joys of innovation form the main pillars of the Konzerthaus’s artistic identity. The Vienna Konzerthaus has always been open to new artistic influences, as well as endeavouring to satisfy the demands of tradition. With the passage of time, the nature and range of the events held in the Vienna Konzerthaus since 1913 have expanded, reflecting the changes in cultural and social life of the times. The social upheavals and financial crises of the inter-war period left an indelible imprint on the Konzerthaus’s artistic output, generating a wide range of cultural activities, which were pioneering in their time. In addition to its consistent attention to classical repertoire, the programmes of the Twenties and Thirties featured major premières, jazz and popular concerts, readings by famous writers, lectures on spiritualism, modern dance events, symposia, conferences, and world fencing and boxing championships. The years between 1938 and 1945 were ones of cultural poverty. Under the destructive pressure of the National Socialist regime, the Konzerthaus was reduced to a propaganda and entertainment business which was robbed of its main artistic content. After World War II, the Konzerthaus played an important role in reviving and renewing Austrian musical life and, in the following years, became the leading organiser of contemporary music in Austria and the most sought-after stage for international jazz in Vienna. The series of events created by the Konzerthaus left a decisive imprint on Viennese cultural life. Since then, early music, jazz and new music have featured prominently within the Konzerthaus's programme, contributing to a celebration of classical music in its entire range. The unique atmosphere of the Vienna Konzerthaus not only attract artists from the international music scene, but also forms the setting for numerous other social events such as balls, conferences, dinners, company presentations and festivities. The Konzerthaus's experience of hosting a wide variety of events extends back to the Twenties. With its most recent major renovation (1998-2001), the historic building is now well-equipped to meet the challenges of the third millennium. |
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| Architecture / The Building | |||||||||
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| atmosphere of the building lent themselves to
a broad range of cultural events, while the buffet, café and three
restaurants satisfied all the gastronomic and social claims of modern
concert management. The spacious and comfortable atmosphere of the
building, which constituted a novelty in Vienna’s traditional musical
life, delighted audiences and critics alike. Architecturally the Konzerthaus presented a rare combination of Historism, Secessionism and Art Nouveau styles. The high quality of the building's construction made few alterations necessary in the course of the years and these were done in such a way as to largely retain the Konzerthaus's original state. The preservation of the building was also central to the complete overhaul which took place from 1998 to 2001. The historical structure was partly reconstructed and partly renovated, and the building was equipped with the latest technology and a fourth concert hall (the «New Hall»). Thanks to the careful and responsible treatment of its architectural heritage the Vienna Konzerthaus can today be regarded as one of the most modern concert houses in the world while retaining its historical roots. |
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| Box office, Office
hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–19:45 Saturday 09:00–13:00 as well as Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 45 minutes prior to the performance |
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