Lexi Webster
The Wiener Konzerthaus is a concert hall located in Vienna, Austria. It is situated in the third district, just at the edge of the first district. The building, which opened in 1913, is about 70x40 meters and originally had three halls that could host simultaneous concerts as they were soundproofed. The Wiener Konzerthaus is known for its lively musical variety, attracting leading performers from every genre, including classical, jazz, world music, and pop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| District | Third district, at the edge of the first district |
| Year opened | 1913 |
| Building style | Late Secessionist style, Art Nouveau |
| Architects | Ferdinand Fellner, Hermann Helmer, Ludwig Baumann |
| Halls | Grosser Saal, Mozart-Saal, Schubert-Saal, Berio-Saal, Akademietheater, studio theatre |
| Capacity | 40,000 visitors |
| Features | Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and elevators, historic Thonet chairs in the Grand Hall, historic organ installed by Rieger |
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What You'll Learn
Wiener Konzerthaus's location in Vienna
The Wiener Konzerthaus is a concert hall located in Vienna, Austria. It is situated in the third district, just at the edge of the first district. The building is about 70 x 40 meters and was built in the late Secessionist style with an Art Nouveau setting. It was constructed between 1911 and 1913 by the renowned Austrian theatre architects Fellner & Helmer, with the contribution of Ludwig Baumann. The Wiener Konzerthaus was opened in 1913 with a gala concert attended by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The original building had three halls, all of which are soundproofed, allowing for simultaneous concerts. The halls are the richly decorated Grosser Saal, Mozart-Saal, and Schubert-Saal, with the addition of the Berio-Saal in recent times. The Wiener Konzerthaus is home to the Wiener Symphoniker, the Vienna Symphony, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Wiener Singakademie, and the Klangforum Wien. The musical offerings range from classical to jazz, world music, and even pop.
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The history of the concert hall
The Wiener Konzerthaus is a concert hall located in Vienna, Austria, which first opened its doors in 1913. The idea for a Haus für Musikfeste (House for music festivals) was conceived in 1890, with the intention of creating a multi-purpose building that would appeal to a broader audience than the traditional Vienna Musikverein. The original plans, drawn up by architect Ludwig Baumann, included concert halls, an ice skating rink, bicycle clubs, and an open-air arena with a capacity of 40,000 visitors.
The construction of the Wiener Konzerthaus began in December 1911, and it was designed by Baumann, along with renowned theatre architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Gottlieb Helmer. The building was designed to accommodate simultaneous performances in its three large halls—the Great Hall, Mozart Hall, and Schubert Hall—without any disturbance. The cultural purpose and artistic mission of the Wiener Konzerthaus were clear from the outset: "To be a place for cultivating fine music, a staging area for artistic endeavours, and to be a house for music and a house for Vienna."
The Wiener Konzerthaus officially opened on October 19, 1913, with a festive concert attended by Emperor Franz Joseph I. Since its founding, the concert hall has emphasised both traditional and innovative musical styles. This combination of old and new became a hallmark of the Wiener Konzerthaus's programming, with performances blending contemporary pieces with masterpieces from the past. The social and financial upheavals between the two World Wars further influenced the hall's artistic profile, leading to a groundbreaking versatility in its cultural offerings.
The Wiener Konzerthaus has played host to significant premieres, classical music performances, musical festivals, jazz and popular music concerts, literature readings, dance performances, and more. The Mozart Hall, with its unique acoustics, is particularly renowned, attracting leading orchestras and soloists for regular sound recordings.
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Performances and artists
The Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, is a leading music centre that attracts the world's elite musicians to its four halls. The Konzerthaus was built between 1911 and 1913 by the architects Ferdinand Fellner, Hermann Helmer, and Ludwig Baumann. It was opened in 1913 with a gala concert attended by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The Wiener Concertverein played a contemporary commissioned piece by Richard Strauss, followed by Beethoven's 9th Symphony. This combination of modern, classical and international still defines the Wiener Konzerthaus's musical offering today.
The Wiener Konzerthaus has a varied programme of performances and events, ranging from classical music to jazz, world music, Viennese folk, literary readings, and more. The venue is particularly well-known for its orchestral performances, with compositions by Zemlinsky, Schönberg, and others having had world premieres at the Konzerthaus. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra (the Wiener Symphoniker) has its main performance home here.
In addition to its regular concerts, the Wiener Konzerthaus also hosts special annual events and festivals. For example, in January, authentic performance ensembles present early music at the Resonanzen. Towards the end of the year, the Konzerthaus hosts Wien Modern, a festival for contemporary compositions, with numerous concerts.
The Wiener Konzerthaus has hosted performances by leading artists and ensembles, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Strauss Festival Orchestra Vienna, and Zoltan Maga. The venue has also featured literary readings, with the Austrian cabaret artist and actor Josef Hader performing at the Wiener Konzerthaus.
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Architecture and design
The Wiener Konzerthaus, located in Vienna, Austria, is a leading music centre and event venue that has been described as atmospheric and Art Nouveau. The building was constructed between 1911 and 1913 by the renowned theatre architects Ferdinand Fellner, Hermann Helmer, and Ludwig Baumann. It is considered one of the most modern buildings in the Danube Monarchy when it first opened in 1913.
The Wiener Konzerthaus was envisioned as a multi-purpose building that would appeal to different sections of the population. It was designed with a visitor-friendly atmosphere, modern facilities, and excellent acoustics in mind. The interior design showcases the architects' wealth of experience, with a special focus on functionality and aesthetics. The entrance hall and staircases were constructed to facilitate the free flow of around 4,000 people, ensuring smooth crowd management during events.
The Konzerthaus features three main halls, all located on the same level but acoustically separated, allowing for different events to take place simultaneously without interference. The halls can be used individually or together, depending on the event's requirements. The halls are technically advanced, ensuring optimal sound quality and an immersive musical experience for the audience. The building also includes a buffet, a café, and three restaurants to cater to the needs of visitors and enhance the social aspect of the concert-going experience.
During the general refurbishment from 1998 to 2002, a fourth hall, the Berio Hall, was added. This hall is technically versatile and can accommodate a wide range of performances. The Wiener Konzerthaus is a testament to the architects' skill and expertise, combining functionality and design to create a world-class music and event venue that has contributed significantly to Vienna's rich cultural landscape.
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Accessibility features
The Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, is a contemporary and ultra-modern concert house that organises over 800 events each season. The Konzerthaus was opened in 1913 with a gala concert attended by Emperor Franz Joseph I. It is a multi-purpose building with several halls that can be used for a wide range of events.
The Wiener Konzerthaus has several accessibility features to ensure that people with handicaps can participate in and enjoy the artistic offerings as independently as possible. Here are some of the key accessibility features:
- Barrier-free main entrance: The main entrance in Lothringerstraße 20 has no steps and a door width of 140 cm, allowing easy access to the main vestibule.
- Barrier-free lifts: All halls are accessible via lifts, and there are also inner ramps. There are two elevators from the ground floor with a door width of 90 cm, a cabin depth of 190 cm and 140 cm, and a cabin width of 94 cm.
- Wheelchair spaces: Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available in all halls and can be purchased online, via telephone, or in person at the Ticket- und Service-Center. There are 18 wheelchair seats in the Grand Hall, 6 in the Mozart Hall, 3 in the Schubert Hall, and 4 in the Berio Hall.
- Wheelchair-accessible restrooms: The Wiener Konzerthaus has wheelchair-accessible restrooms, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can comfortably use the facilities.
- Seeing-eye dogs: Seeing-eye dogs are permitted inside the Wiener Konzerthaus, ensuring that visually impaired individuals can navigate the venue with their service animals. Prior arrangement is required.
- "Klangberührt": The Wiener Konzerthaus offers "Klangberührt", which are inclusive concerts held in the Schubert Hall and recommended for individuals aged 16 years and above. These concerts provide an inclusive and welcoming experience for individuals with disabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wiener Konzerthaus is situated in the third district, just at the edge of the first district in Vienna.
The Wiener Konzerthaus was built between 1911 and 1913.
The Wiener Konzerthaus was built in the late Secessionist style, also known as Austrian Art Nouveau or Jugendstil.
The Wiener Konzerthaus covers a wide range of musical genres, including classical, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, jazz, world music, and contemporary sounds.
The Wiener Konzerthaus originally had three halls, all acoustically isolated from each other, allowing for simultaneous performances. The halls are richly decorated and boast excellent acoustics.
