Vienna Philharmonic Essentials

The Vienna Philharmonic occupies a place at the highest echelons of orchestral performance. Founded in 1842, the orchestra’s players took the decision from 1933 to use exclusively guest conductors. Shaped and honed ever since by dozens of diverse artists, the Vienna Philharmonic became, and remains, one of the world’s most versatile, fleet-footed and dynamic orchestras. From track 1, you’ll witness its unbounded energy, incredible sense of ensemble, and profound musical insights, whether in Beethoven, Smetana, Mahler, or even the soundtracks of John Williams. And no other orchestra extracts richer and more vibrant colours from the polkas, waltzes, and marches of the Strauss family than the Vienna Philharmonic, performed with irrepressible spirit every New Year’s Day in the gilded Musikverein, the orchestra’s home since 1870.