Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra is a major Austrian symphony orchestra based in Vienna, distinct from the older Vienna Philharmonic. Founded in 1900, it has played a pivotal role in the city's musical life, with a strong tradition of performing contemporary works alongside the core classical and romantic repertoire. The orchestra maintains a busy schedule of subscription concerts at the Wiener Konzerthaus and the Musikverein, while also serving as the pit orchestra for the Vienna State Opera's ballet performances.

History

The orchestra was established in 1900 by Ferdinand Löwe under the name *Wiener Concertverein* (Vienna Concert Society). Its inaugural concert took place that year at the Musikverein, featuring works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Richard Wagner. In the interwar period, under conductors like Oswald Kabasta, the ensemble championed music by Austrian composers such as Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, and the Second Viennese School, including Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. Following the Anschluss in 1938, the orchestra was forcibly merged with the Tonkünstler Orchestra, emerging after World War II reconstituted under its current name. Key post-war figures included Herbert von Karajan, who served as artistic director from 1948 to 1954, and Wolfgang Sawallisch, who held the post from 1960 to 1970, significantly expanding the orchestra's touring and recording profile.

Artistic leadership

The orchestra's principal conductor holds the title of *Chefdirigent* (Music Director). Historically significant tenures include those of Joseph Krips (1950-1954), who helped re-establish its reputation, and Gennady Rozhdestvensky (1980-1982). Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos served from 1991 to 1996, followed by Vladimir Fedoseyev (1997-2004). Fabio Luisi was principal conductor from 2005 to 2013, a period marked by acclaimed tours and recordings. In 2014, Philippe Jordan began a highly successful tenure, leading the orchestra on major international tours to venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Philharmonie de Paris until 2021. The current music director, appointed in 2021, is Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Notable principal guest conductors have included Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Semyon Bychkov.

Concert venues and activities

The Vienna Symphony's primary home is the Wiener Konzerthaus, where it presents its main subscription series. It also performs a separate series of concerts at the golden hall of the Musikverein. Since 1922, it has been the official orchestra for the Bregenz Festival on Lake Constance. The orchestra holds a unique institutional role as the performing ensemble for productions of the Vienna State Opera Ballet. It maintains a strong commitment to music education through its *WSO4Kids* program and presents popular open-air concerts, such as the annual *Sommernachtskonzert* (Summer Night Concert) at Schönbrunn Palace. Regular tours have taken the ensemble across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Recordings and media

The orchestra has an extensive discography spanning labels like Deutsche Grammophon, Philips Records, EMI, and Orfeo. Under Wolfgang Sawallisch, it recorded complete symphonic cycles of Robert Schumann and Anton Bruckner. With Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, it released notable albums of works by Manuel de Falla and Maurice Ravel. The partnership with Philippe Jordan produced a critically acclaimed cycle of the symphonies of Gustav Mahler for the Wiener Symphoniker label. The orchestra has also been featured in film and television broadcasts, including the annual Eurovision broadcast of the Vienna New Year's Concert and recordings for Unitel.

Notable premieres and performances

The orchestra has a storied history of presenting first performances, particularly of 20th-century works. It gave the world premieres of Arnold Schoenberg's *Gurre-Lieder* in 1913 under Franz Schreker, and Anton Webern's *Passacaglia* in 1908. It also premiered Alban Berg's *Three Pieces for Orchestra* in 1930. In the post-war era, it presented important Austrian premieres of works by Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, and Krzysztof Penderecki. More recently, it has premiered compositions by Thomas Larcher, Johannes Maria Staud, and Jörg Widmann. The orchestra performed at the re-opening of the Theater an der Wien in 1962 and for the inauguration of the renovated Wiener Konzerthaus in 2013.

Category:Symphony orchestras Category:Musical groups from Vienna Category:1900 establishments in Austria