Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra &
Vienna Philharmonic Society in the Press

A Sound Shaped by Time and Tools, What Makes the Vienna Philharmonic So Distinctive

By Michael Cooper

‘The “Vienna sound” has been the subject of reams of music criticism, academic research, acoustical experiments and more than a little debate. Not everyone agrees on precisely what it is — it is sometimes described as plush, warm and rich or sumptuous — but many listeners say that they know it when they hear it. The “specific sound” of the Vienna Philharmonic was cited this year when it won the $1 million Birgit Nilsson Prize, the largest in the classical music world. And when it won this year’s Herbert von Karajan Prize, the orchestra was praised for managing “to preserve its unique sound like no other.”’

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Vienna Philharmonic to begin performing for live audiences again from June

The orchestra’s Musikverein concert venue will open its doors to audiences on the basis of a number of social distancing regulations
The Vienna Philharmonic has announced that it will resume performing for live audiences from June, subject to a number of social distancing regulations designed to keep Covid-19 at bay. A full schedule of performances for the month has been published on the website of the Musikverein, the orchestra’s concert venue in Vienna.

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Study shows ‘no increased risk to orchestral musicians’ from concerts

The experiment, commissioned by the Vienna Philharmonic, examined the movement of musicians’ breath while performing
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has presented the results of a study into how far musicians’ breath travels while playing instruments. The test apparently showed that, contrary to some theories, there was no added risk of transmitting Covid-19 when performing.

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Vienna Philharmonic purrs back to life after pandemic pause

By ASSOCIATED PRESS LEXINGTON

The Vienna Philharmonic returned home, and its famous strings purred for the first time since March 10. Its 2,854-seat Musikverein, considered by many the world’s most beautiful concert hall, was filled with only 100 people Friday for the first of three days of programs with Daniel Barenboim. Because of the negligible number, tickets were distributed to family, friends and donors for among the first performances by a major orchestra since the pandemic paused the season.

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What will become of Boston’s fall classical music season?

By Jeremy Eichler

On the grounds of Tanglewood, the maps are being removed because they are potential hot spots for contagion. In Boston, the BSO is considering performing without seats in Symphony Hall and the Boston Lyric Opera has assembled a new Health Task Force for Opera Artists. In New York, temperature stations have already been set up outside the Metropolitan Opera, even though there will not be a live performance there until New Year’s Eve at the earliest

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New Year, New Conductor, New Program

By Ginanne Brownell Mitic

Andris Nelsons is good at keeping a secret. The Latvian-born music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Gewandhauskapellmeister of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra knew long before it was announced that he would be holding the baton for the 2020 New Year’s Day Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic.

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Unearthing the Links Between Beethoven and the Vienna Philharmonic

By Rebecca Schmid

VIENNA — When the Vienna Philharmonic goes on tour next year with a cycle of Beethoven Symphonies, the musicians will not just commemorate the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Recent research is revealing previously undisclosed connections between the composer and the orchestra’s founding members that stretch back over two centuries.

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Anneleen Lenaerts, a Top Harpist in Vienna and Around the Globe

By Ginanne Brownell Mitic

VIENNA — Not long after Anneleen Lenaerts took up the harp at the age of 9, her parents had to buy a new car. It was a pragmatic purchase because their old family vehicle simply did not have enough room to comfortably accommodate the budding musician and her bulky instrument as they drove around her native Belgium for classes, concerts and competitions.

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2019 Vienna Philharmonic Society Gala

A few weeks ago at a private club here in Manhattan, The Vienna Philharmonic Society celebrated with a black-tie concert and dinner. Limited to just 150 guests, it was arguably the most elegant event of the current social season, and under distinguished patronage including H.E. Wolfgang Waldner, Ambassador of Austria to the United States and Mrs. Gudrun Faudon-Waldner; H.E. Jan Kickert, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations and Mrs. Latica Tomasic-Kickert; and H.E. Dr. Helmut Boeck, Consul General of Austria to New York and Mrs. Barbara Boehm-Boeck.

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Vienna Philharmonic Society Gala

On Monday night at a private club here in New York, the Vienna Philharmonic Society presented the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performing "Sextet in G Major, Op. 36" by Johannes Brahms.

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Nine Concerts in Seven Days at the World’s Most Famous Concert Hall

By Anthony Tommasini

Say the phrase “classical music” and many will imagine a renowned symphony orchestra playing masterpieces of the distant past at Carnegie Hall. Last week, you could live that fantasy again and again at Carnegie, probably the most famous concert space in the world. The Vienna Philharmonic played towering works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler over four programs. The Philadelphia Orchestra played Schubert’s Ninth Symphony.

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Kavakos and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall

By Eleni Sakellis

NEW YORK – World-renowned Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos performed with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Adam Fischer at Carnegie Hall on March 3 to a sold out crowd which was impressed by the masterful technique and artistry of the talented musicians. The entire performance was so powerful and moving, it garnered standing ovations and three encores.

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Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Lives Up To Expectation With Most Glorious Sound

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s Carnegie Hall residency is nothing short of brilliant. They are embracing this opportunity to showcase their unparalleled ability to push boundaries and showcase its vast repertoire of Classical standards. Known widely to be one of the top five orchestras worldwide, the Vienna Philharmonic lived up to this expectation with the most exacting glorious sound last Sunday (March 3). Nuanced with verve and flair abounding, conductor Ádám Fischer led the orchestra to fresh heights.

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Master Classes and an Elegant Gala

There are many grand fundraisers in New York, but some nights are special and this is always because of their hosts. Although the Chairman of The Vienna Philharmonic Society, Marifé Hernández, was unable to attend, her attention was evident everywhere. Resting comfortably at home, recovering from surgery, she still saw to the placement of every guest and every detail. Her beloved husband Joel Bell arranged a first — the evening was videotaped so she could see it. Guests were invited to record their own get-well messages for the much-missed chairman. Her warm presence was felt everywhere.

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The Vienna Philharmonic Society

The Vienna Philharmonic Society presented The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for over one hundred benefit guests at a private club

There are many grand fundraisers in New York, but some nights are special and this is always because of their hosts. Although the Chairman of The Vienna Philharmonic Society, Marifé Hernández, was unable to attend, her attention was evident everywhere..

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The Vienna Philharmonic Society Event

By Jason Gao

At a private club The Vienna Philharmonic Society presented The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for over one hundred benefit guests.

There are many grand fundraisers in New York, but some nights are special and this is always because of their hosts. Although the Chairman of The Vienna Philharmonic Society, Marifé Hernández, was unable to attend, her attention was evident everywhere. Resting comfortably at home, recovering from surgery, she still saw to the placement of every guest and every detail.

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THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY EVENT

There are many grand fundraisers in New York, but some nights are special and this is always because of their hosts. Although the Chairman of The Vienna Philharmonic Society, Marifé Hernández, was unable to attend, her attention was evident everywhere. Resting comfortably at home, recovering from surgery, she still saw to the placement of every guest and every detail.

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Review: A Brash Wunderkind, Now 37, Meets an August Ensemble

By James R. Oestreich

For someone like me, who had not crossed paths much with the Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel since his early appearances in New York more than a decade ago, his three concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall over the weekend held considerable fascination. What sort of chemistry might have developed between a once-brash wunderkind, now 37, and one of Old Europe’s most august ensembles?

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The Vienna Philharmonic’s Strings Soar at Carnegie Hall

By Rick Perdian

‘Sold out’ was pasted across the signs announcing the three back-to-back concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall with Gustavo Dudamel conducting. The first was all Brahms, and the final one was a pairing of Ives and Tchaikovsky. In between, Dudamel and the orchestra performed Mahler’s ‘Adagio’ from his Symphony No.10 and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, which I had the privilege to attend.

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Review: Dudamel Leads the Stellar Vienna Philharmonic With Humble Authority at Carnegie

By Brian Taylor

Sunday’s appearance at Carnegie Hall by the venerated Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel provided art and artistry of numerous contrasts. First, the pairing of this great European ensemble, an institution with roots reaching back into the annals of Western classical music itself, and one of the New World’s hottest stars, the 37 year old Venezuelan Dudamel. Appointed music director of of Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of 26, Dudamel hasn’t appeared much in New York, so audiences were undoubtedly curious to see him conduct.

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175th Anniversary Of  The Vienna Philharmonic

This year the Vienna Philharmonic celebrates its 175th anniversary. 1842 was also the year of the founding of the New York Philharmonic. This led to a joint exhibition that opened on February 22 in the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York. On March 29, the exhibition Vienna and New York: 175 Years of Two Philharmonics will open in the foyer of the Haus der Musik in Vienna, and can be viewed free of charge until January 2018.

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Review: The Vienna Philharmonic Adds New Work, and Women

By James R. Oestreich

‘The annual visit of the Vienna Philharmonic to Carnegie Hall, with Franz Welser-Möst conducting three splendid concerts over the weekend, brought bonuses historical, musical and educational. Like the New York Philharmonic, the Vienna is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, and the two orchestras have assembled a compact joint exhibition of archival documents and photographs, which opened on Feb. 22 at the Austrian Cultural Forum in Midtown and will travel to Vienna on March 28.’

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Breathlessly Spiraling Bach: The 8 Best Classical Music Moments This Week

By James R. Oestreich

VIENNA PHILHARMONIC MASTER CLASS, FEB. 23 An Orchestra of One ‘It was a marvelous demonstration of complete musicianship in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing, and the students, alumni of Carnegie’s National Youth Orchestra, were agog. Dieter Flury, a principal flutist of the Vienna Philharmonic, had been using his instrument to help disentangle tricky solo passages in pieces the young flutists were working on, but when a Mozart concerto entered the mix, he casually played along from memory, compressing the various orchestral parts into a single hyperactive line on the spot. What better way to impress on students the need to listen closely to their colleagues and to come to know not just their own parts but the piece as a whole?

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Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Franz Welser-Möst at Carnegie Hall – Rosamunde Overture, Time Recycling, Ein Heldenleben

By Thomas Phillips

‘René Staar’s Time Recycling (2013) is a masterclass in post-modern eclecticism. It opens with Varèse- like attacks and also demonstrates mastery of spectral techniques. Staar (born in 1951 in Graz), a VPO violinist, builds and demolishes textures, dividing instruments into small groups working simultaneously using extended techniques: flutists blew down their instruments, and violinists did percussion duty. The piece also calls for some theatrics, players standing up suddenly or blowing whistles. Staar was present to receive acclaim from audience and colleagues.’

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Transfigured? Great!

By Fred Kirshnit

‘The Vienna Philharmonic is committed to the best possible sound, has held its prominent position for well over a century and a half and is, in fact, exactly the same age as the New York Philharmonic. Since the end of World War II, the orchestra has had different conductors on an ad hoc basis, chosen exclusively by the orchestra members. Their sound is further nurtured and husbanded by having male relatives of current players training for and then assuming regular positions as their family members retire. In furtherance of this unique, hot-housed sound, many instrumentalists are cautioned to always play older (or older styled) instruments, particularly in the brass section where only particular manufacturers are sanctioned. This attention to detail is very much appreciated by audiences, even if many of them have no idea how this unique sonority is fashioned.’

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Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Franz Welser-Möst at Carnegie Hall – Verklärte Nacht & Schubert’s Great C-major Symphony

By Susan Stempleski

‘The program began with a moving and memorable account of Arnold Schoenberg’s ultra-romantic Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night). Franz Welser-Möst led the VPO’s strings in an incandescent and widely-expressive performance. Responding to Welser-Möst’s exquisitely refined and subtle gestures, the stellar ensemble gave its all without sacrificing any of the chamber-like qualities of the work (the original was for string sextet). Throughout this ravishing reading the musicians played this poetic piece (based on Richard Dehmel’s prose) with easy virtuosity and opulence of tone.’

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Schubert + Staar + (Strauss x 2) = Vienna Philharmonic and Franz Welser-Möst at Carnegie Hall

By Jacob Slattery

‘Quickly approaching its 175th anniversary, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has built one of the most enviable reputations of any performing arts group in the world. The orchestra spent much of the 19th and early 20th centuries premiering works by composers that are often thought of now as repertory – Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, two Brahms Symphonies, a bunch of Strauss II’s walzer – but the orchestra currently spends most of its time perfecting works by old masters. So it was all the more intriguing to hear the VPO performing new(ish) music straight from its own bloodline (René Staar) under the direction of Maestro Franz Welser-Möst alongside works by Schubert, Richard Strauss and, inevitably, Strauss II in their first concert of 2017 at Carnegie Hall.’

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Review: Vienna Philharmonic Brings World-Class Music-Making to New York

By Jose Andrade

‘One of the great orchestras in classical music today, the Vienna Philharmonic, is on a brief tour of the United States this winter, and thankfully, New York is their first stop where they presented a series of three concerts at Carnegie Hall. Headed by Franz Welser-Möst, their first performance on February 24 brought us two familiar pieces by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss, as well as the U.S. premiere of René Staar’s Time Recycling.’

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