Vienna Symphony Orchestra

About

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Wiener Symphoniker in German) is one of Austria's most historically significant orchestras since it was formed in 1900. The orchestra experienced some growing pains over the first half of the 20th Century, particularly during the tenure music director Oswald Kabasta, who saw the orchestra's transition into becoming a vehicle for Nazi propaganda during much of the Third Reich. Following the end of World War II in Europe, the Vienna Symphony became revitalized when Herbert von Karajan took on the post as the orchestra's chief conductor in 1948. Since then, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra has been led by some of the world's most celebrated conductors and despite its dubious past, remains a jewel in the crown of Austrian musical culture.