School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Wiener Philharmoniker

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Wiener Philharmoniker is a Viennese symphony orchestra that was founded in 1842 and is counted among the best in the world. The orchestra is based in the Musikverein in Vienna and consists of musicians from the Staatsoper orchestra. The orchestra is self-governing and takes its decisions by democratic vote. The first concerts were conducted by Otto Nicolai, and in 1860 the series of subscription concerts began that continues to this day. In 1870 the orchestra moved to the Goldener Saal of the Musikverein, whose acoustics define its sound.

Music and breakthrough

The list of conductors is long. Under Hans Richter the orchestra gave the first performances of Brahms's Second and Third Symphonies and of Bruckner's Eighth. Gustav Mahler led it from 1898 to 1901, and later Felix Weingartner, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bruno Walter, Herbert von Karajan, Karl Böhm and Leonard Bernstein, among others, worked with the Philharmoniker. Carlos Kleiber appeared with the orchestra thirty times between 1974 and 1994. In 2000 the orchestra played Beethoven's Ninth on the site of the Mauthausen concentration camp, without a fee and without applause.

Influence

Since 1 January 1941 the orchestra has given the New Year's Concert every New Year's Day, with music by the Strauss family, above all Johann Strauss II. The orchestra has made many recordings, such as Das Lied von der Erde in 1952 and Tchaikovsky's Pathétique. The Philharmoniker are not obliged to hire musicians over the age of 35, and members retire at sixty-five. In this way the Wiener Philharmoniker preserves a Viennese playing style of its own.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording of the New Year's Concert and notice the strings in the waltz. Can you hear how the orchestra holds back the second beat of the waltz by a fraction?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists