It’s probably inappropriate for a philistine like me to make any kind of comment about the Musikverein.
In golf, it would be Augusta. In football, Anfield. In art, the Louvre.
- Possibly the planet’s best concert hall
- First concert held on January 6th, 1870
- Attracts the best classical performers
- Home to the Wiener Philharmoniker
- Also hosts the Vienna Mozart Orchestra
- …visitor-friendly light classical concerts
- Book a concert experience* in Vienna
- See also:
History and prestige
(A mixture of Hellenic and Neorenaissance styles)
The Musikverein is actually the name used for the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien, which translates roughly as the Society of Friends of Music in Vienna.
People also use the term for their concert hall, technically the Musikvereinsgebäude or Musikverein Building.
The venue opened on January 5th, 1870 to a design by Theophil Hansen. You might describe it as a hybrid of his Hellenic Austrian parliament and Neorenaissance Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, with a bit of the Alte Börse thrown in for good measure.
Like so many great constructions of the late 19th century, the building used land freed up by the removal of the obsolete city fortifications.
(Front entrance with the Karlskirche behind)
A first concert took place a day after the official opening and featured, for example, Beethoven’s Egmont overture and his Symphony Number 5.
The society itself dates back to 1812, once putting on Handel’s Samson for delegates to the Congress of Vienna in 1814, when Europe’s great powers decided on the future of the continent.
Beethoven, Liszt, Bernstein and Abbado, to name but a few, were honorary members, and Salieri the first director of its singing school (now the famous University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna).
So, yes, the society has a rich tradition and history.
As for the venue, well, Strauss, Bruckner, and Mahler premiered compositions here, for example. Schoenberg directed here. Brahms worked here and has a concert hall named after him.
I once walked past to discover the great cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, about to perform (sold out, of course).
The Musikverein also provides a home for perhaps the globe’s finest orchestra (the Wiener Philharmoniker) and perhaps the world’s most-watched classical music event (the New Year’s Concert).
For a lighter dip into Viennese classical music, the location also acts as a regular host for the Vienna Mozart Orchestra and other musicians offering tourist-friendly highlight concerts.
These concerts typically feature music by Mozart and/or perhaps Strauss, Verdi or others. Some performances see the musicians appear in historical costumes.
(Façade above the main entrance)
A shop around the back of the Musikverein even sells pianos. Not just any pianos, but Bösendorfer: suppliers to the Imperial royal court and in business since 1828. Brahms, Strauss, and Mahler were fans, apparently. (Not bad in terms of celebrity endorsements.)
Basically, the Musikverein is classical concert heaven. Look at any list of the world’s greatest concert halls and it’s invariably at the top.
Tickets & visitor tips
Tickets for the Vienna Mozart Orchestra and other tourist-friendly performances are available from various agencies and other sources. For example:
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
Nothing on your dates? Try some alternative concerts*
For the full, broader classical music programme at the venue, the official website (see below) has all the details of forthcoming concerts at one of the seven halls within.
A few tips:
- If you’re searching for a wider selection of light Mozart / Strauss concerts designed for visitors, try these venues.
- Should you wish to keep the walk back to your accommodation after a concert as short as possible, I have some hotel tips for you.
- If you simply wish to see inside this historical venue, the Musikverein offers behind-the-scenes tours in English on most days. See here for my experiences on the tour.
- Should you buy from the Musikverein in person, you don’t access the ticket office through the main entrance. When facing that entrance, go left around the side of the building.
In the area…
(Look out for Johannes)
By the way, the building next door – the Künstlerhaus – might be worth your time, too, given it houses, for example, the Albertina Modern art museum with its series of special exhibitions.
To see what the Musikverein looks like from above, pop across the road to the Karlskirche church (you pass the imposing Brahms statue on the way) and take the stairs up to the panorama terrace.
Alternatively, drop into the terrace of the newly reopened Wien Museum. The museum also has a huge (and free) permanent exhibition on the chronological and cultural history of Vienna, filled with historical exhibits and a great deal of art.
How to get to the Musikverein
The building is very central and easily reached by taxi or public transport.
Subway: The Karlsplatz station is almost opposite and lies on subway lines U1, U2 and U4.
Tram/bus: It’s just a short walk from the Oper/Karlsplatz stop on various tram services, including the 1, 2, 62, 71 and D lines. The 59A bus stops here, too.
Address: Musikvereinsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna | Website