Classical music orchestra concerts tickets in Salzburg and Viennia. Please help

Just a few evenings ago we attended a lovely Mozart/Brahms concert by the Twins Quartet at Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg. Began at 8:00 pm, lasted about 1.5 hours. Excellent musicians. Worthwhile, not terribly expensive. Reserve on line option.

Hi pcorlando: Thank you for your prompt reply and your recommendation.

I've checked their schedule and unfortunately, they have no shows during our stay in Salzburg. Do you have any other recommednation?

Thanks.

The Vienna Philharmonic provides the musical accompaniment to the Vienna Opera. If you want to see the Philharmonic, your best bet is to see an Opera. Otherwise, you will need to see another orchestra during your stay playing at the Musikverein.

As for the concert on the 23rd you mention above - I am sure one can get tickets, but at a very dear price, I'm sure.

The Vienna Mozart Orchestra is a concert for tourists.

You might just show up at the box office before a performance and see if there are any last minute cancellations. I've done that at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and scored tickets for a nominally sold out concert. We did not get to sit together, but you get what you can get.

Regarding the difference between world class orchestras and "tourist" orchestras, only a trained musician with a very good ear is likely to be able to tell much difference. The Wiener Philharmoniker is undoubtedly one of the best in world, each member carefully chosen. But music schools churn out tons of talented musicians and they all can't find work at big name orchestras, so they have to start at the bottom. So if you enjoy music, don't turn your nose up at these.

Sam makes an excellent point about the quality of the players . Working as a free lance musician in a city like Vienna ( or New York , Paris , or London , to name just a few ) does not allow for substandard performance . As an example , the second bassoon chair in the Vienna Mozart group had been filled by a 24 year old woman who was recently named principal bassoon in the Vienna State Opera . Looked at the program that you posted , that is on offer , and the selections would make any serious listener quite satisfied .

Another thought about the Vienna Mozart Orchestra performance - this program will take place in the Golden Salle ( main auditorium ) of the Musikverein , Vienna' s main concert hall . The hall itself is the grand star of any performance . Few halls boast the absolutely magnificent acoustics present in what is this zenith of venues . Notably , one of the other great halls in the world , Boston Symphony Hall , home of The Boston Symphony Orchestra , is modeled on The Musikverein and The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Hearing The Mahler Symphony #5 at The Musikverein several years ago is one of my fondest memories

I see on Sep.18th at the Musikverein the Bayerische Staatsorchester (the orchestra of the Munich opera and one of the best in Germany) conducted by Petrenko - considered the best emerging conductor around - with Diana Damrau (one of the top coloratura soprano in the world), had you a look to it?

Hi Emily, Sam, Steven, & Lachera: Thank you for your prompt reply and your recommendation. We appreciated.

Originally, I had more than enough time to plan for our trip, however, we are deterred by the weather forecast (raining) during our potential stay in Salzburg and that's why, we couldn't made up our mind in finalizing on days splits between Vienna and Salzburg. That's why, we fell behind on booking for a classical orchestra concerts in Vienna / Salzburg, and now, it turns out to be a last-minute thing to try to get some tickets for a decent orchestra concerts (as we are not a fan of opera). As of today, in order to avoid raining days in Salzburg, we are considering to stay in Salzburg from September 19 to 23 and Vienna on September 18 and from September 23 to 25 tentatively. Please feel free to give me any suggestion or check for me if there is any availability on decent orchestra concerts if you can. Thank you so much.

Emily: You mentioned that I will need to see another orchestra during your stay playing at the Musikverein. Do you have any recommendations or could you please provide any hyperlink?

Sam: You mentioned that you were able to get concerts tickets in Amsterdam from last minute cancellations, does it mean that you have to keep checking online using your phone (right outside of the venue) or you were able to find out from the box office? I am not trained musician as we just want to get some decent classical orchestra concert experience in Salzburg or Vienna, and thus, we would not turn our nose up at these, but it is now a matter of how / where to tickets in the last minute and also concerned if it would be very pricey for last-minute ticket as I am not sure if some vendors / local would resell at a higher price?

Steven: Do you know if Vienna Mozart group or Vienna State Opera has any classical orchestra concert to be performed during my stay over there? Do you know any website that I get the tickets online?

Lachera: Regarding the concerts that you mentioned about Musikverein the Bayerische Staatsorchester (the orchestra of the Munich opera and one of the best in Germany) conducted by Petrenko, do you mind to show me the website as my travel plan is slightly twisted now and we probably won't be in Salzburg on September 18, 2016. (As of today, in order to avoid raining days in Salzburg, we are considering to stay in Salzburg from September 19 to 23 and Vienna on September 18 and from September 23 to 25 tentatively.)

Since this is getting very close to my trip and this is a urgent last-minute request, any suggestion and/or website is very helpful. Your prompt reply is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your help. Have a good one.

The Petrenko/Damrau concert is in Vienna on Sept. 18th:

http://www.viennaticketoffice.com/bayerisches-staatsorchester-tickets-318456-de.html

Once the August festival is over, the choice of concerts in Salzburg - apart from the tourist ones - is not so ample. I would consider a concert at Mozarteum: http://www.salzburg.info/en/art_culture/events_calendar/orchestral-concert_va-1271526

Here is the Musikverein September Calendar.
https://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzerte.php

Re last minute tickets. We went to the hall when the box office opened that day. They said come back 1 hour before the start time and check. We did, and they had one returned ticket and they said "See the lady in the red shawl standing over there? She has a friend's ticket that can't make it tonight and she wants to sell it. I told her to wait for you." So we bought another ticket from her. Don't know if that approach will work for you. But I don't think on-line will do it. Be there in person, with cash.

Edit - I see September 17 Orchestra of the National Opera of Paris, Phillipe Jordan, soprano Anja Kampe with excerpts from the Ring of the Nibelungen, Including Siegfried's Funeral March and Brunhilde's Immolation. Wow, almost makes me want to jump a flight to Vienna. And they have tickets available.

(1). Does anyone know if there is any differences between the Vienna Musikverein - Golden Hall and the Vienna Musikverein Brahmssaal? Is that the Golden Hall the main concert hall at Musikverein and the Brahmssaal is relatively considered as secondary? Will both provide the same surrounding sound quality effect or one can tell there may be some differences?

(2). Also, does anyone know the ticket prices for the same section of seats are different on the following website? Which one is more reliable website for ticket purchase in Vienna?

http://www.viennaticketoffice.com/wiener-mozart-orchester-wiener-mozart-konzerte-tickets-106-de.html

https://www.vienna-concert.com/event-day/en/278/13-09-2016/MUSIKVEREIN-Golden-Hall-Tickets/Vienna-Mozart-Orchestra--13-September-2016.html#Alldates

(3). Actually, as I said the concert by Wiener Philharmoniker on September 23, 2016 are fully booked,
https://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzertprogramm.php?idx=156999

But there were some wheelchair seats available just a few days ago online, but for some reason, it did't give me an option to purchase online. I don't know if they let people without using wheelchair / handicap to purchase the wheelchair seats. Please excuse us as we are just very desperated and hope there is a chance to get one of those seats. Does anyone know will there be another local vendors / shops or local tourist attractions center / travel agents may still hold some of those concerts seats and I can check it out from their website if I can get the tickets.

Any suggestion and/or hyperlink is very helpful. Your prompt reply is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your help in advance.

A (1) From the Musikverein website:

Accommodating an audience of just over 600, it is predestined for the more intimate side of classical music. The sound in the hall is ideal for the music. The Brahms-Saal is 32.50 metres long, 10.30 metres wide and 11 metres high and has similar brilliant acoustics to its big brother the Grosse Musikvereinssaal.

Web page: https://www.musikverein.at/dermusikverein/brahmssaal.php

Edit - Here is my take on the wheelchair seats. In other places I've been, the regular seats have been removed and there is just an empty space there to accommodate a wheel chair. So if they do release them and scare up a folding chair, it will most definitely be at the last possible moment, since they must hold these for people who really need them. So if you are serious, camp out at the box office and be there. It will let them know you are serious.

It is sold out because 1. Zubin Mehta is conducting. A big star. 2. This is a non-subscription concert, open to the general public. Subscription concerts are only for season ticket holders and my understanding is that the wait list rivals that of the Green Bay Packers.

Hi Sam: Thank you for your kind reply and your research about the concerts halls details. I am sorry that I didn't get a chance to look into that yet as I am very busy packing now. Thanks.

(1). Do you mean, "Grosse Musikvereinssaal" concerts hall as the " Golden Hall"?
https://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzertprogramm.php?idx=156999

Because on some days, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra will be performed in Golden Hall and some days will be in Musikverein Brahmssaal?

(2). Regarding the concert by Wiener Philharmoniker on September 23, 2016 are fully booked, does it mean that in general, most concerts tickets are non-refundable once it is purchased? Because if the tickets are non-refundable, then I believe there is zero chance for any ticket to be opened up again online. Is that right?

1. Grosser Musikvereinssaal's nickname is the Golden Hall.
   https://www.musikverein.at/dermusikverein/musikvereinssaal.php?lang=en

2. People do turn in tickets they can't use, even if they don't get their money back. Perhaps a tax deduction, or as in my situation, just to inform the box office that they wish to sell a ticket. Who knows? Some people are like that. "I can't use the ticket, but maybe some lucky music lover can." It happens. Dress appropriately, hang out at the box office and let them know you care. If you don't get in, go and commiserate yourselves over a nice dinner.

The Brahmssaal is the chamber music hall, so much smaller than the bigger hall. The Küchl quartet there could be an excellent idea if you like chamber music (Küchl is the W. Ph. concertmaster that retired just a couple months ago).

In Salzburg there is an agency, Polzer, dealing with "restkarten", i.e. tickets reserved but going unused that are resold, usually with an hefty markup if the concert is a popular one. I do not remember if there is such an agency in Vienna. The only other way I can think for getting in is by personal knowledge with a member of the orchestra that sometimes have tickets to share.

W. Ph. are a subset of the Vienna Opera orchestra, performing on their one on their days free from the opera job. The opera has plenty of players, but also a very dense calendar, so there are few days left for extra activities. This is why W. Ph. concerts are relatively rare and tickets are difficult to get - let alone with only a few days advance. I seem to remember that a W. Ph. subscription can be got only when a present subscriber renounces or dies.

jojo, you'll kind of have to decide on the trade offs.

If you want to be absolutely sure to attend a concert in the Golden Hall, you can get tickets for the Mozart Orchestra. Lesser quality in the performance, but you'll be in the famous concert space.

If you want to be absolutely sure to hear the big guns play, get opera tickets ASAP.

But here's an alternative strategy:

Friday the 23rd, there is a concert in Karlskirche (beautfiul baroque church). Vivaldi on period instruments. Tickets available:
https://www.concertvienna.com/events/171/#2016-09/
(This organization does Vivaldi and Mozart's Requiem in rotation in the church--I have been to one of the Mozart performances and it was lovely.)

Then to visit the Musikverein, book a tour. They are offered daily:
https://www.musikverein.at/fuehrungen/fuehrungen.php?lang=en

Best of luck!

Hi Sam, Lachera & Zonderpaard: Thank you for all of your kind reply and your recommendation based on my last-minute urgent request. We appreciated and it certainly helps and give me a better idea now. Thank you.

ALL: Any comment / recommendation to any of my following questions is very welcome & greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

(1). Regarding the following two websites for Vienna Mozart Orchestra tickets, for section SUPERIOR, A, B, and C, how come there is no seat number assigned at the time of purchase? Does it meant that it will be a first-come, first-serve upon arrival? Because some seats might have better view or closer to the stage with the same price under particular section. Please advise if you have any knowledge about it. Thanks.

http://www.viennaticketoffice.com/wiener-mozart-orchester-wiener-mozart-konzerte-tickets-106-de.html

https://www.vienna-concert.com/event-day/en/278/13-09-2016/MUSIKVEREIN-Golden-Hall-Tickets/Vienna-Mozart-Orchestra--13-September-2016.html#Alldates

(2). Regarding the Vienna Mozart Orchestra concerts in Vienna Musikverein, as some would suggested that the Vienna Mozart Orchestra is mainly for tourists or with lesser quality in the performance as compared to Wiener Philharmoniker or Wiener Symphoniker, do you think it should be good enough to get the least expensive tickets just to get an experience?

(3). In general, would the seats upfront or closer to the stages / sideways / rear end matters between Vienna Musikverein - Golden Hall and the Vienna Musikverein Brahmssaal, or should I be expecting very similar or equal acoustics sound?

(4). Lachera: Regarding the concerts that you mentioned about Küchl quartet at Vienna Musikverein Brahmssaal, do you mind to show me the website so that I can check if there is any ticket available for sale during my stay in Vienna? Thanks.

(5). Sorry, one side question - What's the best way to travel among attractions in Salzburg / Vienna / Prague? By walk / train / tram / underground? Does it worth to get a Salzburg / Vienna / Prague card for public transportation or for attractions admission?

Thank you so much.

jojo, so many of your questions are really more about your personal preferences and priorities. It's hard to say. I've only been to one concert in the Golden Hall--sat in the middle-center zone. I can tell you that I have never had an experience where the sound was physically palpable as it is in that space. It is extraordinary. I cannot speak to other seating areas in the hall, but I doubt there is a 'bad seat' in there.

On 5): In Vienna, yes, absolutely you should use the public transit system. It is easy to use, goes pretty much everywhere, is clean, super safe, and affordable. It is integrated, so if you have a fare card or pass, you can ride the U-bahn, trams, or buses to the major sights. The rest of your question on attraction passes is far to general. You have to do the math on the things you plan to see, tally it up, and compare it to the price offered in the bundled attraction passes. I do not recommend the yellow, tourist 'Ring Tram'. Ride the regular red ones with the rest of us on the same tracks and use a reasonable travel guide to navigate the sites.

The Wiener Linien website is available in English. For transit, start your research there. Or search this forum. Tons of info already out there.
http://www.wienerlinien.at/eportal3/ep/tab.do?tabId=0

Maybe these reviews from people who have actually been to see the Vienna Mozart Orchestra will be helpful in making your decision:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190454-d245461-Reviews-Musikverein-Vienna.html#REVIEWS

Hi Zonderpaard & Emily: Thank you so much for all of your follow-up. Your information certainly helps and perhaps, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra may not good for me as I have read so many bad reviews about it.

ALL: Any comment / recommendation to any of my following questions is very welcome & greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

Does anyone know anything about the following concerts?

http://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/%209606
It is the "1st Subscription Concert" CONDUCTOR Zubin Mehta.

What's your understanding about the ticket availability as it states that, "A limited number of returned and standing room tickets for this concert will become available beginning on September 19, 2016, at 9:30 AM either by telephone (01/505 6525); at the Ticket Office of the Vienna Philharmonic, Kärntner Ring 12, 1010 Vienna; or online."

Is that concerts mainly for season ticket holders?

What do you think about the standing room tickets for a concert which may last 2 hours?

Thank you so much.

1. Küchl quartett: https://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzertprogramm.php?idx=197237
2. Most of your questions are about your personal preferences; I wonder if you attend concerts at home, how much do you like classical music, and so on. An hardcore classical music fan would probably prefer the Küchl quartet to the Mozart concerts, but if you are not into classical music probably you would prefer the other way round.
3. The acoustics are fairly good all over the hall. I do not love very much the very first row, as your eyes are on the same level of performers' shoes on stage.
4. Again, an hardcore classical music fan would gladly stand four or six hours in a queue to get a much sought ticket, and then 2 hours standing on the back, just to say they were there. How committed are you?

Hi lachera: Thank you for your kind comments and the information. Of course, my family and I do not mind to stand for a few hours for an outstanding concerts. Unfortunately, it is just our first visit in Vienna and our schedule is tight as we still need to spare time for sightseeing and just afraid that we don't have enough time to line-up or camping outside of the venue for the tickets.

To ALL: All of your previous information are very valuable to me, and I take this opportunity to thank everyone. Please feel free to leave any comment or suggestion as I am trying to get the ticket for the concert by Wiener Philharmoniker on September 23, 2016 which are fully booked.

https://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzertprogramm.php?idx=156999