The Musikverein
The Vienna Musikverein is not only Vienna's most beautiful and traditional location for classical concerts. It is also home to highly renowned concert halls. The Golden Hall (New Year’s Day Concert) and the Brahms Hall attract visitors from around the globe who wish to experience an evening of pure musical enjoyment.
In 1863, the neoclassical architect Theophil von Hansen was commissioned to design the new building of the Society of Music Lovers (Musikverein). The construction was made possible thanks to the generous Christmas gift from Emperor Franz Joseph I, who gave the Society of Music Lovers the area opposite the St. Charles Church (Karlskirche). To honour the gift, a building plan was created that would turn the magnificent building into an architectural highlight of the Ringstraße. The Musikverein was opened with a festive concert in 1870.
The Vienna Musikverein was designed in a historicist style inspired by ancient Greek architecture. Ionic columns, caryatids, pediment reliefs and magnificent ceiling paintings create the impression of a temple dedicated to music. Combined with the building's exceptional acoustics, this distinctive atmosphere appeals to all the senses and provides an impressive setting for concerts at the Musikverein.
To this day, the Musikverein remains a centre of international concert life. Every year, the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year’s Concert is broadcast from the Golden Hall to millions of viewers around the world. In addition to the Golden Hall and the Brahms Hall, the Musikverein is home to four modern concert spaces: the Glass Hall, Metal Hall, Stone Hall and Wooden Hall.
Golden hall
The Great Hall is considered the jewel of the Vienna Musikverein and one of the best concert halls in the world. The beauty of the architecture, as well as the magical acoustics that envelop and enchant every visitor, earned it the nickname the “Golden Hall”.
The astounding acoustics are the merit of the architect of the Vienna Musikverein, Theophil von Hansen. Since scientific studies on room acoustics were only conducted in the 20th century, Hansen had to rely solely on his intuition – with huge success! The hall meets all the important requirements that make a good concert hall: from the ideal proportions of the room to numerous sound reflections and cavities in the ceiling and floor, which serve as resonators. All of this enables the unmistakable and grandiose acoustics of this hall. In combination with the magnificent and noble appearance, characterized by a lot of gold and glamour, the Great Hall offers over 2000 guests the opportunity to enjoy the most wonderful sounds in the highest quality
Brahms hall
In addition to the Great Hall, the Vienna Musikverein houses another exceptionally beautiful concert hall: the Brahms Hall. It was named in 1937 after Johannes Brahms, one of the most significant composers of the 19th century. With just under 600 seats, the Brahms Hall is an excellent venue for classical music performances, and it also offers ideal conditions as a chamber music hall.
Like the other concert halls of the Vienna Musikverein, the Brahms Hall offers an unforgettable experience for the eyes and ears. In the style of ancient Greece, which can be recognized in the architecture of the entire building, this hall has a breathtaking temple roof with Ionic columns. But it is also the excellent acoustics that prompt visitors from all over the world to want to experience an evening of perfect music enjoyment in the Brahms Hall.