Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

The Vienna Philharmonic is without doubt one of the finest orchestras in the world. Founded in 1842, and comprising of members of the Vienna State Opera orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic has developed a near-legendary status as a cultural ambassador of Austrian art. Since 1933 the Philharmonic has not appointed a music director, but rather invites guest conductors to appear with the orchestra for their subscription concerts at the Musikverein (where the annual New Year's Day concert takes place) and for their concerts on tour. In recent years they have worked with Claudio Abbado, Boulez, Bernard Haitink, Jansons, Kleiber, Zubin Mehta, Ozawa and Sir Simon Rattle; and in a departure from the norm in 2003, with Bobby McFerrin.