The Wiener Konzerthaus enjoys a unique reputation as a venue that is based on three merits: Engaging with tradition in a lively way, reaching out to new audiences with a bold concert programme and being open to new developments. These virtues have accompanied the Konzerthaus since its beginnings.

A concert hall for everyone

In 1890, when Vienna was dreaming of a future home for music festivals, plans were made for a multi-purpose building that would appeal to broad sections of the population - in contrast to the traditional Musikverein. The first idea came from the architect Ludwig Baumann: his "Olympion" was to contain rooms for concerts, an ice-skating club and a bicycle club and offer space for a total of 40,000 people in an open-air arena. The plan came to nothing, but his intention lived on, as the concert hall, whose construction began in December 1911, was designed by the same Ludwig Baumann together with the famous theatre architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Gottlieb Helmer in such a way that its three halls (Great Hall, Mozart Hall and Schubert Hall) could be used simultaneously without the events interfering with each other.

The first years - opening in 1913

From the very beginning, the cultural purpose and artistic mission of the Wiener Konzerthaus were clear: "To be a place for the cultivation of noble music, a meeting point for artistic endeavours, a house for music and a house for Vienna." It was in this spirit that the Konzerthaus was opened on 19 October 1913 with a festive concert in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Richard Strauss composed his Festliches Präludium op. 61 for the occasion, followed by Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This programme combination - a contemporary work and a masterpiece from the past - was to set an example for the Wiener Konzerthaus: To this day, an awareness of tradition and a love of innovation are the pillars of the Konzerthaus' musical world and form its artistic identity.

Interwar period

Social upheavals and financial crises during the interwar period had a decisive influence on the artistic profile of the Konzerthaus and led to a diversity in the cultural programme of the house that is groundbreaking from today's perspective. In addition to the continuous cultivation of the classical repertoire, the programme of the 1920s and 1930s included important world premieres, jazz and pop concerts, readings by famous writers, spiritualist lectures, expressive dance events, symposia, congresses, fencing and boxing world championships.

The years 1938 to 1945 were characterised by cultural impoverishment for the Wiener Konzerthaus. Under the devastating pressure of the National Socialist dictatorship, it degenerated into a propaganda and entertainment centre and was largely deprived of its central artistic content.

A new beginning after 1945

After the Second World War, the Konzerthaus played an important role in the revitalisation and renewal of Austrian musical life. It quickly became the leading organiser of contemporary music in Austria and a sought-after stage for international jazz in Vienna. Series of events initiated by the Konzerthaus set decisive accents in Vienna's cultural life. Since then, early music, jazz and new music have been focal points of the Konzerthaus and complement its artistic core area - classical music in the fullness of its tradition.

Wide range of programmes and offers

The unique atmosphere of the Wiener Konzerthaus not only attracts artists from the international music scene. It also provides the setting for numerous other social events, balls, conferences, dinners, company presentations and celebrations. The Wiener Konzerthaus has a long tradition of event catering dating back to the 1920s. However, the wide range of programmes and offers at the Wiener Konzerthaus clearly points to the future. Thanks to the large-scale general refurbishment (1998-2001), the time-honoured building is also equipped for the challenges of the third millennium.

Wiener Konzerthaus

Adresse
Wiener Konzerthaus
Lothringerstraße 20
A-1030 Wien

Kontakt
Telefon: +43 1 24200-0
E-Mail: ticket@konzerthaus.at
Website: www.konzerthaus.at

Tickets
Ticket- & Service-Center des Wiener Konzerthauses
Telefon: +43 1 242002
Telefax: +43 1 24200-110
E-Mail: ticket@konzerthaus.at

Öffnungszeiten
Montag bis Freitag 10.00-14.00 Uhr
An Samstagen, Sonn- und Feiertagen geschlossen
Abendkassen ab 1 Stunde vor Veranstaltungsbeginn