Brian H.
Yelp
The concert hall against which all others are judged. Owned by the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (Society for Music Friends), the Wiener Musikverein (Vienna Music Association) is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world's greatest orchestras. Built in 1870 by the Emporer Franz Josef, this hall saw the premieres of several symphonies by Brahms, Bruckner, waltzes by Johann Strauss, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht," and major orchestral works by Richard Strauss, Alban Berg and Anton Webern. Every New Years Day, a concert with the Vienna Philharmonic is televised live around the world, usually featuring traditional Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches.
Renowned for its acoustics, considered ideal by classical musicians, the Musikverein is known for several architectural innovations: the ceiling of the Great Hall is suspended from the rafters, and underneath the wooden floor is a great hollow space, which allows the whole room to resonate. Heavy gilt accents and gold statues of the various muses adorn the large shoebox shaped hall. A smaller adjoining hall is used for chamber music concerts. Around the back is the headquarters of the celebrated Vienesse piano maker, Bösendorfer. Tours are offered daily in several languages.