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 classical concert venue
- First concert held on January 6th, 1870
- Attracts world-class performers
- Home to the Wiener Philharmoniker
- Also hosts the Vienna Mozart Orchestra
- …visitor-friendly light classical concerts
- Book a concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- 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 home with its multiple concert halls: technically the Musikvereinsgebäude or Musikverein Building.
The venue opened on January 5th, 1870 to a design by renowned architect Theophil Hansen. Reviewers praised the quite remarkable acoustics, which continue to impress today and play a major role in the venue’s exalted status.
(A fine treat for when the sun goes down)
Emperor Franz Joseph attended that opening, and a first concert took place a day later. It featured, for example, Beethoven’s Egmont overture and his Symphony Number 5.
Like so many great constructions of the late 19th century, the building used land freed up by the removal of the obsolete city fortifications.
You might describe what you see from outside as a hybrid of Hansen’s hellenic Austrian parliament and neorenaissance Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, with a bit of his Alte Börse thrown in for good measure.
(Front entrance with the Karlskirche behind)
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 actually worked here and has one of the concert halls named after him: the piano played by Clara Schumann at the 1868 opening of the Brahms-Saal now resides in the nearby Historical Instrument Collection.
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 in the renowned Golden Hall).
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 visitor-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: former 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 and ticket options.
A few tips:
- If you need some advice on what to wear to a concert in the Musikverein, then help is at hand
- If you simply wish to see inside this historical venue, behind-the-scenes tours in English take place most days. See here for my experiences on the tour, which includes a look inside the famous Golden Hall
- Many other historical buildings in Vienna offer tours around their interiors: see here for my list
- Should you wish to keep the walk back to your accommodation after an evening concert as short as possible, I have some hotel tips for you
- You can buy tickets from the Musikverein on site, of course. However, you don’t access the ticket office through the main entrance. When facing that entrance, go left around the side of the building for the box office
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