The Vienna Residence Orchestra

The Vienna Residence Orchestra is a chamber orchestra with a long tradition that performs daily at the Palais Alte Börse in Vienna’s government district. It is accompanied by opera singers and a ballet couple.

Chamber orchestra: small instrumentation, big impact

Chamber orchestras differ from symphony orchestras in their smaller size and number of instrumental groups. Chamber orchestras gained in importance when public taste turned away from Romanticism and they proved to be ideal for the performance of older Baroque and Classical music.

The boundaries between chamber, salon and symphony orchestras are blurred. A characteristic feature of chamber orchestras is that they are often conducted by the concertmaster, especially from the 1970s onwards. The Vienna Residence Orchestra occasionally performs as a salon orchestra with a variable line-up and instrumentation. The precise definitions of orchestra types are not strict, which allows for artistic freedom.

The success story of the Vienna Residence Orchestra

The Vienna Residence Orchestra is a traditional chamber orchestra that interprets Viennese classical music with piano and strings as its core instrumentation in the Rosenkavalier Hall in the Palais der Wiener Börse. Accompanied by opera singers and a ballet couple, the orchestra recreates the atmosphere of princely ballrooms. Since its foundation in 1990, the orchestra has made a name for itself with daily concerts and has made Viennese classical music accessible to a wide audience. The many years of experience and consistency of the members, some of whom have been with the orchestra since its foundation or the establishment of the daily concert series 20 years ago, contribute to its success. Building a successful orchestra requires more than just a foundation; it needs the right musicians, suitable pieces, a capable conductor, a feel for classical music as well as suitable venues, engagements and a good reputation.

Vienna Residence Orchestra: An orchestra with heart and family spirit

The Vienna Residence Orchestra was founded by the talented pianist and conductor Paul Moser and his wife Sylvia Moser, a former opera singer. Both shared a deep passion for music and could look back on impressive careers. But fate took a tragic turn when Paul Moser died far too early in 2004, leaving a gap that was almost impossible to fill, both musically and personally.

Sylvia Moser, driven by grief and determination, took over the management of the orchestra and continued Paul Moser’s vision with tireless dedication. She was supported not only by her children, but also by her co-partner and his family, who all share a deep connection to music. This close interplay between family and profession proved to be a supporting pillar that helped the orchestra to overcome the difficult loss and master all challenges.

The positive atmosphere and humor that still characterize the orchestra today are a legacy of Paul Moser and a testament to the fact that his passion for music lives on. The Vienna Residence Orchestra stands today as one of the most enduring orchestras in Vienna and is living proof of the power of music to give hope and joy even in times of sorrow.

Vienna Residence Orchestra: How the love of music overcame a stroke of fate

The Vienna Residence Orchestra quickly established itself as an important representative of Viennese classical music.

1991: Just one year after its foundation, the orchestra represented Austria at the Mozart commemorations and played at the “Wiener Klangbogen” festival.

In the following years, the orchestra performed worldwide under the direction of renowned guest conductors such as Rudolf Nureyev, Arild Remmereit and Giuseppe Lanzetta in cities such as Paris, Venice, Deauville, Mexico and Brussels.

1998: A special year for the orchestra: there were concerts in Uruguay and Mexico, the latter in aid of a soccer pitch for street children. In the same year, Paul Moser established a daily concert series at the Liechtenstein City Palace.

2001: The orchestra was a highlight of the Venice Carnival.

2003: An invitation to Dubai followed.

After the death of founder Paul Moser in 2004, various conductors took over, including Christian Pollack, who invited guest conductors such as Gerhard Lagrange and Robert Lehrbaumer.

2007 and 2008: The orchestra traveled to Spain and Italy.

2009: Under Gerhard Lagrange, the orchestra won the “Unterföhringer Mohr” cultural prize.

2017: Giuseppe Montesano, a young, talented conductor from Italy, took over as artistic director.

An unforgettable concert experience in the historic Palais of the Vienna Stock Exchange

The Vienna Residence Orchestra is now based in the Palais der Wiener Börse and offers daily concerts. Although some people associate a daily concert series with routine, this is not the case with the Vienna Residence Orchestra. The orchestra has a large pool of talented musicians and offers a varied program.

The founding of the orchestra 20 years ago by Paul and Sylvia Moser was a project of the heart that was realized with a great deal of commitment and passion. This dedication continues in the family and is also appreciated by the employees.

Today, the orchestra performs daily in the Palais der Wiener Börse and is described by Sabine M. Gruber in her book “111 Places of Music in Vienna that you have to experience” as an unforgettable experience that delights tourists and locals alike.

Overview of the orchestra's European tours

A look at the orchestra’s busy concert schedule in Europe (other overseas appearances, such as Uruguay and Mexico, are not shown on the map for the sake of clarity