Introduction
Vienna is known as the “City of Music.”
It is the city where musical giants such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms made their mark on music history. Even today, Vienna is home to world-famous orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, both of which are hugely popular among classical music fans in Japan.
Tickets can easily cost several tens of thousands of yen, but for classical music lovers, hearing a world-class orchestra perform in Vienna is surely a dream worth pursuing.
This time, I finally made that dream come true.
I went to see the Vienna Symphony Orchestra perform at the Musikverein, Vienna’s famous “Golden Hall,” and here is my honest review of the experience.
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Why I Chose the Vienna Symphony Orchestra
This time, I chose a performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Wiener Symphoniker).
The reason was simple. The Vienna Philharmonic generally has stricter policies regarding young children, while the Vienna Symphony Orchestra is relatively family-friendly.
However, there is one important point to keep in mind: children under the age of five are not allowed to enter the Musikverein.
As long as this requirement is met, attending a Vienna Symphony Orchestra concert can be a good option for families. Of course, children should be able to sit quietly and avoid kicking the seats in front of them. Good concert etiquette is essential.
Seats and Ticket Categories
At the Musikverein, ticket prices vary considerably depending on where you sit.
One thing that may feel particularly unusual to visitors from Japan is the availability of standing tickets (Stehplatz).
● Standing Tickets (Stehplatz)
These are the cheapest tickets, and they can cost less than ¥5,000.
The downside? You have to stand for more than two hours.
And if a tall European happens to stand directly in front of you, you may end up seeing almost nothing of the stage…
Still, if your attitude is “I just want to experience the atmosphere!”, this could be an interesting option.
● Seats Behind the Pipe Organ
Another budget option is the seating area behind the pipe organ, located behind the orchestra.
These seats are also among the cheapest, but you cannot see the stage, and the sound can feel somewhat muffled due to the acoustics.
I would describe them as something like “standing tickets, but with a chair.”
● My Recommendation: Cercle Seats!
My personal recommendation is the “Cercle” seats.
The first three rows are included in this category, and tickets can cost less than ¥10,000, making them relatively affordable.
You might think, “Front-row seats at that price? That sounds amazing!” And it certainly is impressive—but the layout of the Musikverein is quite different from many concert halls in Japan. You sit incredibly close to the orchestra.
Seriously, it feels like you could almost reach out and touch the string instruments.
The downside is that you cannot see the entire orchestra at once.
The percussion section and double basses at the back are especially difficult to see.
Some people also say that the sound seems to pass over your head, meaning that these seats may not offer the ideal acoustics.
But after actually sitting there, I found that for an untrained listener like me, the sound was absolutely fine!
In fact, I was overwhelmed by the intensity of the performance right in front of me. I could see the conductor’s facial expressions, the musicians’ breathing, and even the sweat on their faces.
It felt less like “listening to music” and more like being surrounded by music.
This kind of intimacy is something you rarely experience at an orchestra concert in Japan.
I highly recommend the Cercle seats!
Concert Etiquette and the Cloakroom
There is an important thing to remember when entering the Musikverein: you cannot bring coats and other outerwear into the concert hall.
You must leave them at the cloakroom on the first floor.
One difference from Japan is that the cloakroom is not free.
The cost is approximately €3 for three items. Since you will almost certainly need it during winter, I recommend having some small change—ideally less than €5 ready.
Be careful about handing over a €100 bill, though—you may not receive the warmest reaction!
Small handbags are allowed inside, but tote bags and larger hand luggage are not.
If you have one of these, staff may stop you at the entrance and direct you to a separate luggage storage area on another floor.
I did not personally use this service, but it appeared to be handled at a separate counter.
Cameras and Photography
Professional cameras such as DSLRs are not allowed inside the concert hall.
However, smartphones are allowed, and photography appears to be permitted before the concert and during the interval.
In fact, many people around me were taking photos of the hall with their smartphones, and no one was stopped by the staff.
That said, I did not see anyone taking photos during the performance, so you should absolutely refrain from taking pictures while the orchestra is playing.
Your smartphone can also be used to display your electronic ticket, so there is no problem bringing it with you.
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Conclusion
Listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Musikverein was truly an experience that allowed me to feel the “City of Music” with my whole body.
Of course, the acoustics were outstanding. But beyond that, there was the atmosphere created by an audience of people who genuinely love classical music, the historical weight of the building itself, and the beautiful sound of applause filling the hall.
Every part of the experience felt special and unique to this place.
If you have some flexibility in your travel schedule, I highly recommend checking the official website for the concert schedule and getting a ticket.
Even if you choose one of the cheaper seats, listening to music at the Musikverein is an unforgettable experience.
Spend an unforgettable evening surrounded by music in Vienna, the City of Music.
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