The famous concert hall is located in the first district of the city, right next to the State Opera and Karlsplatz. If you love classical music, you should attend a concert in this hall. If you are unable to watch a concert, you can join a guided tour of the ancient concert hall.
In this article, you can read about the historic building and its concert halls, watch a short concert that took place in this building, and get information about guided tours and options for purchasing concert tickets.
The Story of the Concert Hall’s Construction
In 1857, Emperor Franz Joseph ordered the demolition of the old city walls to allow for its expansion. In place of the walls, he demanded that a grand boulevard be built around the old city. This boulevard is known today as the Ringstrasse.
The Viennese Music Association was operating at that time in a small building in the heart of the city. In 1863, the Emperor granted the association a plot of land opposite St. Charles’s Church. The building plan was ambitious, aiming to erect one of the most magnificent structures on the Ringstrasse. The renowned and esteemed architect Theophil von Hansen (the architect of the Parliament building and the palaces of the Ringstrasse) was the one who led the construction of the building. The construction took several years, and it began operating in 1870. The architect, who was educated in Athens, designed the building in a special style that combines classical elements from Greek culture and the Renaissance style.
The Concert Hall – What Can You See?
The concert hall building actually contains two separate ancient halls – the main hall, also called the Golden Hall (Goldener Saal), which can accommodate about 2,000 spectators, and the small hall, called the Brahms Hall, which can hold only 600 spectators. In 2004, the building was expanded to include four small concert halls in the basement – the Glass Hall, the Metal Hall, the Stone Hall, and the Wooden Hall (they are mainly used for rehearsals). The Golden Hall hosts the wonderful New Year’s Concert every year. This is a unique and highly sought-after event. In addition, the main hall has an impressive organ, and wonderful organ concerts are sometimes held there.
If you’re planning to go to a concert, you can watch a wonderful concert that took place in the concert hall here and see what awaits you.
This is what a concert in the Golden Hall looks and sounds like
Guided Tour of the Viennese Music Association’s Building
Since this concert hall is one of the most beautiful in the world and its concerts are among the best there are, there is no doubt that the ultimate experience is to enjoy a great musical performance. However, you can also enjoy the beauty of the building in another way – through a guided tour.
Tours take place every day except on Sundays or on days when an important event is happening on that day. On the tour, guides help you learn about the history of the building, show you the concert halls that impress visitors, and share information about the music and concerts that take place there. The tours are in English or German. For more information and to register for a tour from the Viennese Music Association
Mozart Concert – An Outstanding Classical Experience
Besides the glittering concert that takes place at the beginning of the New Year, various performances are held regularly in the concert hall. One of the most beloved performances by locals and visitors alike is the classic Mozart concert. The performing artists are dressed in classical costumes and wigs in the spirit of Mozart’s time. The works performed in the show include the best of Mozart’s famous compositions. The concert takes place in the Golden Hall or the Brahms Hall.
Purchase tickets online for the Mozart Concert
Additional Essential Information for Visiting the Viennese Music Association’s Building
Schedule of upcoming concerts and option to purchase tickets online
How to get to the concert hall by public transport?
The concert hall is a short walk from the Ringstrasse and the State Opera. It can be reached easily and quickly using Vienna’s excellent public transport. The best ways are:
- Subway: You can travel to the Karlsplatz station and walk for about 5 minutes from there. The U1 (red line), U2 (purple line), and U4 (green line) subway lines stop at this station. You should exit the station at the Opera (Oper) exit, and from there, the walking distance is about 5 minutes. Another option is to take the U3 subway line (the orange line) and get off at the St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansplatz) station, and from there walk for about 15 minutes through the beautiful streets of the old city.
- Tram: Due to the concert hall’s proximity to the Ringstrasse, there are many trams that pass nearby. You can take lines 1, 2, 62, 71, and D and get off at the Kärntner Ring/Oper station. From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
Address: Musikvereinsplatz 1, 1010 Wien
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