Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
There is perhaps no other musical ensemble more consistently and closely associated with
the history and tradition of European classical music than the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra. In the course of its 171-year history, the musicians of this most prominent
orchestra of the capital city of music have been an integral part of a musical epoch
that-thanks to an abundance of gifted composers and interpreters-must certainly be regarded
as unique. Additionally, the Vienna Philharmonic's extensive touring schedule, prolific
recordings, and global television broadcasts allow the orchestra's artistry to be
experienced around the world.
The orchestra's close association with this rich musical history is best illustrated by
the statements of countless preeminent musical personalities of the past. Wagner described
the orchestra as being one of the most outstanding in the world; Bruckner called it "the
most superior musical association"; Brahms counted himself a "friend and admirer"; Gustav
Mahler claimed to be joined together with the orchestra through "the bonds of musical art";
and Richard Strauss summarized these sentiments by saying, "All praise of the Vienna
Philharmonic reveals itself as understatement."
The Vienna State Opera Orchestra holds a special relationship with the private association
known as the Vienna Philharmonic. In accordance with Philharmonic statutes, only a member
of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra can become a member of the Vienna Philharmonic. The
engagement in the Vienna State Opera Orchestra provides the musicians a financial stability
that would be impossible to attain without relinquishing their autonomy to private or
corporate sponsors. Over the course of more than one and a half centuries, this chosen path
of democratic self-administration has experienced slight modifications, but has never been
substantially altered. The foremost ruling body of the organization is the orchestra
itself.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's mission is to communicate the humanitarian message of
music into the daily lives and consciousness of its listeners. For more than a decade, the
orchestra has been giving benefit concerts in support of humanitarian causes around the
world, and since 1999, makes an annual donation of 100,000 Euros from its New Year's
concert to a variety of international charitable organizations. In 2005, the orchestra was
named Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization. As of November 2008, Rolex is
the worldwide presenting sponsor of the Vienna Philharmonic. The musicians endeavor to
implement the motto with which Ludwig van Beethoven, whose symphonic works served as a
catalyst for the creation of the orchestra, prefaced his Missa solemnis: "From the
heart, to the heart."
Franz Welser-Möst
One of today's most celebrated conductors, Franz Welser-Möst leads two of the world's
great cultural institutions as music director of The Cleveland Orchestra and general music
director of the Vienna State Opera.
The 2012-2013 season marks his 11th year in Cleveland, and in 2008 his contract was
extended until the orchestra's centennial year in 2018. With The Cleveland Orchestra, he
has built close relationships with Carnegie Hall, Vienna's Musikverein, and the Lucerne
Festival. Recent seasons have also included residencies at the Salzburg Festival and at
Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Since 2007, Mr. Welser-Möst and the orchestra have held an annual
residency in Miami, and in 2011, they began a biennial residency at the Lincoln Center
Festival.
Since 2010, Mr. Welser-Möst has served as general music director of the Vienna State
Opera. His long partnership with the company has included an acclaimed new production of
Wagner's Ring cycle with director Sven-Eric Bechtolf and critically praised
new productions of Hindemith's Cardillac, Janáček's Katya
Kabanová and From the House of the Dead, and Verdi's Don Carlo.
In 2012-2013, he leads, among other performances, new productions of Ariadne auf
Naxos and Tristan und Isolde, and a reprise of the
Ring cycle.
As a guest conductor, Mr. Welser-Möst enjoys an exceptionally close and productive
relationship with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2013, he had the honor of leading
the orchestra's celebrated New Year's Day Concert for the second time in three years, and
the CD recording of his appearance in 2011 has reached double-platinum sales
status. He has also performed with the orchestra at the Salzburg and Lucerne
festivals, the BBC Proms, Suntory Hall, in the Sommernacht concert on the grounds of
Schönbrunn Palace, and on a regular basis in the orchestra's subscription series at the
Musikverein.
Mr. Welser-Möst has guest-conducted all the leading orchestras in Europe and the US. He
was music director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1990 to 1996, and led the
orchestra and ensemble of the Zurich Opera as general music director from 1995 to 2008.