Welcome to the Hofmusikkapelle - a venue steeped in centuries of tradition, where Vienna's musical history remains alive to this day. With its concerts, Klangkultur Wien enriches the Hofmusikkapelle'S programme with valuable new facets: from intimate chamber music to festive Advent and Christmas concerts, to programmes beyond the usual repertoire.

Browse our programmes and book your tickets for unforgettable evenings in a place where history was written. Whether an atmospheric Advent concert, a festive Christmas evening, or a seasonal concert — the sounds of Klangkultur Wien will enchant you too.

Programme

Thursday, 26 November 2026, 7:30 pm


Performers
Wiener Kammersymphonie String Quintet
Ola Asdahl Rokkones, Saxophone

Programme:

 J. Sibelius – Valse triste, Op. 44/1 (arranged for saxophone and string quintet)
 A. Dvořák – Scherzo (Allegro vivace) from the String Quintet in G major, Op. 77
W. A. Mozart – Larghetto and Allegretto con Variazioni from the Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581 (arranged for saxophone and string quintet)
C. M. von Weber – Romanza (Andante) and Alla Polacca from Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 74 (arranged for saxophone and string quintet)

An evening of sonic surprises: instead of the expected clarinet, the saxophone takes on the soloist's role here — revealing how smoothly its warm, sensuous tone fits into the classical repertoire. Sibelius's "Valse triste" opens with morbid Viennese waltz melancholy, before Dvořák's folk-inflected Scherzo brings rhythmic momentum. At the heart of the evening are two arrangements drawn from the clarinet repertoire: Mozart's K. 581 loses none of its songful intimacy, while Weber's Op. 74 concerto gives the saxophone virtuoso room to shine. Norwegian soloist Ola Asdahl Rokkones, whose return to Vienna is eagerly awaited, joins the Wiener Kammersymphonie String Quintet in performances of a precision that casts familiar repertoire in an unfamiliar light.

Wiener Kammersymphonie String Quintet
The Wiener Kammersymphonie is a renowned chamber ensemble based in Vienna, made up of leading musicians from the city's classical music scene. Known for its precise and expressive interpretations, the ensemble has distinguished itself through a versatile repertoire ranging from the classical to the modern. It has performed in major concert halls and collaborated with outstanding soloists and conductors, establishing itself as one of the foremost chamber ensembles.

Ola Asdahl Rokkones, Saxophone
After last year's great success, saxophonist Ola Asdahl Rokkones returns to Vienna. The Norwegian musician studied with Lars Lien, Vibeke Breian, Jean-Yves Fourmeau and John-Pål Inderberg, and has appeared as a classical soloist with, among others, the Arctic Philharmonic, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra. His artistic achievements have been recognised with the Culture Prize of the City of Tromsø (2012) and the Barents Scholarship (2019), among other honours. Alongside his classical career, he is also active in jazz and has released around twelve albums, including "Norwegian Saxophone" and "Arctic Saxophone" (Challenge Records).

Tuesday, 15 December 2026, 7:30 pm
"Haydn & Bach: Violin Concertos"

Performers
Wiener Kammersymphonie String Quintet
Cornelia Gradwohl, Violin

Programme:

L. van Beethoven – Overture to "Egmont", Op. 84
J. S. Bach – Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041
J. Haydn – Overture to "Armida", Hob. XXVIII:12
J. Haydn – Violin Concerto in G major, Hob. VIIa:4
L. van Beethoven – Allegretto scherzando, Tempo di Menuetto and Allegro vivace from Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93

Two centuries of violin artistry meet: Beethoven's dramatic "Egmont" Overture sets the tone for an evening full of contrasts, before Bach's austere, contrapuntally dense A minor Concerto ushers in Baroque rigour. Haydn provides a double highlight — the theatrical "Armida" Overture and a Violin Concerto of galant elegance, in which Cornelia Gradwohl, a noted specialist in historically informed performance, can display her stylistic range between Baroque and Classicism. Three movements from Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 bring the evening to a close — compact, witty, almost defiantly unpretentious compared with its larger siblings, and a charmingly unexpected finale to an evening that shows the violin in all its facets.

Cornelia Gradwohl 
Salzburg-born violinist Cornelia Gradwohl is a laureate of numerous competitions and has appeared as soloist in renowned concert halls such as the Vienna Musikverein, the Mozarteum Salzburg and the Grafenegg Festival. She specialises in early music, regularly performs on the baroque violin, and is a member of the Ignaz Pleyel Piano Trio as well as the Haydn Chamber Ensemble. Since 2007 she has taught violin and chamber music at the Joseph Haydn Conservatory Eisenstadt.

Tuesday, 22 December 2026, 7:30 pm
Christmas Concert

Performers
Les Orpheistes · Chorus ALEA
Martin Sieghart, Conductor

Programme:

L. van Beethoven – Die Himmel rühmen, Op. 48/4 (choir & ensemble)
J. S. Bach – Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041
Emperor Leopold I – Work for ensemble
Two Christmas carols (choir & ensemble)
W. A. Mozart – Divertimento in B-flat major, K. 137
G. Mahler – Piano Quartet movement in A minor (for piano, violin, viola and cello)
F. Schubert – Credo from the Mass in G major, D. 167 (choir & string ensemble)
A. Bruckner – Two motets

A Christmas concert of rare stylistic breadth: Les Orpheistes and Chorus ALEA span the arc from Bach's crystalline A minor Violin Concerto, through a musical rarity from the pen of a composing Habsburg emperor, to Mahler's early, feverishly romantic piano quartet sketch. Beethoven's tender hymn "Die Himmel rühmen" opens the evening in a contemplative mood, while Bruckner's motets, with their soaring choral polyphony, provide moments of sacred, spine-tingling beauty. Mozart's cheerful Divertimento and two traditional Christmas carols bring festive sparkle and familiar warmth in between, before Schubert's Credo from the Mass in G major closes the evening with simple, heartfelt grandeur. A programme that skilfully interweaves chamber music, choral sound and spiritual depth — demanding, yet never over-intellectual, and perfectly attuned to the festive atmosphere of the Hofmusikkapelle.

Les Orpheistes
Under the artistic direction of the internationally acclaimed violinist and conductor Prof. Mario Hossen, the Les Orpheistes Festival Orchestra stands for the highest musical quality. Known as a cultural ambassador of Vienna's heritage and celebrated for its innovative interpretations, the orchestra has earned acclaim in the world's most renowned concert halls.

Chorus ALEA
Chorus ALEA is a professional vocal ensemble founded in 2015 by Matthias Schoberwalter and Magdalena Janezic, performing regularly in Vienna and throughout Austria. Its repertoire spans from the Renaissance to the present day, with a particular focus on contemporary vocal music and rarely heard works. Through flexible line-ups, the ensemble combines musical diversity with stylistic openness.

Martin Sieghart, Conductor
With a rich and distinguished career, Martin Sieghart is one of Austria's most versatile artists. Alongside his successful career as a conductor, he has mentored numerous international students and founded renowned festivals. His time as principal soloist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and his achievements as its conductor underscore his standing in the world of classical music.

Venue

The Hofmusikkapelle is located in the Hofburg Chapel in the Schweizerhof of Vienna’s Imperial Palace, the former residence of the Habsburg dynasty. An imperial chapel was first built around 1287 by Albert I in late Romanesque style. It was expanded under Albert II between 1423 and 1426, and rebuilt in Gothic style by Frederick III between 1447 and 1449. In the mid-18th century, Maria Theresa had the chapel redesigned in late Baroque style. First documented in 1296, it is one of Vienna’s oldest sacred music venues, renowned for its historic ambience and exceptional acoustics.

Hofburgkapelle
Hofburg-Schweizerhof
1010 Wien

Duration

 duration of the concert is 60-70 minutes, without intermission. 

Tickets

Once your booking has been confirmed, you will receive an e-mail containing your booking voucher. Please print it out or download it on your smartphone/tablet to show it at the evening box on the day of the concert.

In case you do not receive an e-mail in the minutes following the booking, please check your Spam folder!

How to get there?

The Hofmusikkapelle is located within the Hofburg Palace, at Schweizerhof 1, 1010 Vienna.

By public transport:

• U-Bahn (subway): Take U3 to Herrengasse (5 min walk) or U1/U3 to Stephansplatz (10 min walk).
• Tram: Lines 1, 2, D stop near the Hofburg.
• Bus: Lines 1A and 2A serve the area.
• By foot: It’s a 5–10 minute walk from Stephansplatz, the city center, or the historic inner city.

Cancellations
 

Cancellations are possible for this ticket up to 48 hours before the concert begin.