What's the secret behind the Vienna Philharmonic's unique sound?

[@steveeliscu1254]

OMG! Not one mention of the Vienna horns! Or the trumpets, for that matter. But the horns are the one part of the Vienna Phil that the whole musical world talks about. They're built different, look different and sound different than any other horn in the world. Truly unique.

[@yishihara55527]

WOW! The "whole musical world talks about" them?! I've been a classical musician for forty years and went to a conservatory together with various Vienna Phil members. I never heard anything mentioned about the horns ever. But people are still talking about the incredible horn and brass sections of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which were just legendary from the 1940s to around the 1990s. No one could compare.

[@steveeliscu1254]

@@yishihara55527 Even a non-musician can see that the Vienna Horn LOOKS different, if nothing else. As far as I can tell, the horns used by the CSO are no different than the usual American or British orchestra uses (though played quite well, obviously.) Did you go to conservatory with Vienna horn players? If so, they must not have shown you their horns, nor played them.

[@yishihara55527]

@@steveeliscu1254 Clearly you aren't a native English speaker an cannot pick up on nuances. I'm talking about the horns as in horn players (the humans, not the "machines")!

[@yishihara55527]

@@steveeliscu1254 And for your information, I went to conservatory in the same classes and playing in the same orchestras with a few of the current Vienna Phil members as well as Berlin Phil members. So stop acting big.

[@dudeforcaster8630]

@@yishihara55527 Jeez, defensive much? You missed his point by a wide margin . Are you ayako saito on YT ? If so, perhaps you should get a Viennese instrument, might help your squawky, shrill, Benny Goodmanish sound.

[@shawnhampton8503]

My very favorite orchestra. From the first time I heard them play - probably watching Leonard Bernstein conduct Beethoven on PBS I was hooked. I don't like to get into the whole "who is the best orchestra?" nonsense. Competition is alien to art. On any performance any of the top orchestras could be the "best" that night. But the Vienna Phil. has such a special unique sound and works so hard to maintain that. And I love that.

[@Flex2212]

And they value their style comparatively higher than other great orchestras relatively to technical "perfection", also in auditions! I find that very much refreshing nowadays.

[@psijicassassin7166]

The Vienna Philharmonic's uniqueness lies in the fact that it is sexist and rejects female musicians.

[@DAVID-et1lj]

obviosly the horns section !!!! the best of the world !!!

[@ferdyholim4218]

One of the secrets is the seating arrangement. In other orchestras the 1st and 2nd violins seat side by side facing the cellos and the double basses. In VPO the 1st violins and the 2nd violins face each other, while the cellos and the violas are between them, and the double basses are in the centre back of the orchestra. Also the horns are placed on the centre, instead of on the left. And so is the tuba; on the centre instead of on the right.

[@psijicassassin7166]

The Vienna Philharmonic's uniqueness lies in the fact that it is sexist and rejects female musicians.

[@srothbardt]

Do you mean the strings are divided?

[@gottfriedheumesser1994]

That also depends on the conductor.

[@lavatr8322]

Vienna Philharmonic is my Favourite Ensemble!!!😂🤣

[@dogsunited9724]

Every standard for this orchestra is off the charts...

[@johnmaryn4497]

The amazing acoustics of the Musikverein is another reason for the “sound” of the orchestra, in addition to world-class musicians. The Vienna horn has a unique sound especially in brassy forte passages that was different than the F/Bb double horns most of us played. As a horn student (1971-72), I saw over 50 concerts in the Musikverein. Even in the rear standing room area (I was a student), the sound was great. For a few of the famous Bernstein - Mahler concerts, I was standing in the 2nd tier behind the orchestra-an amazing experience. The VPO is the best. The city of Vienna is dear to my heart.

[@joseojeda665]

What? How could you not mention the wiener horn and the wiener oboe which produce very distinctive sounds and are almost considered period instruments?

[@steveeliscu1254]

See Ayako Saito comments above. He has a different point of view. But I agree with you!

[@litoboy5]

Great

[@sajic2h]

❤

[@michelemelchioni533]

Ooooooooh, you forget oboe and horns! ...wiener horn is unforgettable!!!!

[@papagen00]

It used to be men only. What happened??

[@obito-i8l]

what

[@riccardosoldi7335]

Meritocracy, it took a while to understand that gender doesn't matter on how good an instrumentist can play, however better late than never😬

[@papagen00]

@@riccardosoldi7335 wrong, DEI happened.

[@riccardosoldi7335]

@@papagen00 there's no dicothomy between what I said (true) and what you said (true)

[@papagen00]

@@riccardosoldi7335 you're not making sense. DEI and meritocracy are mutually exclusive. DEI lowers artistic standards.

[@pasimaenpaa2360]

Secret? There is no secret. Except that every members of orchestra + conductors are men. That's all. No need to respect that orchestra.

[@Flex2212]

No?

[@Flex2212]

I mean it's important to be critical here and discuss this at the least, but to deny them their qualities is ridiculous and narrowminded, lots of their members are very much openminded and they have changed a lot the last decades and especially and without being forced (which is important) since Clemens Hellsberg was gone.

[@psijicassassin7166]

The Vienna Philharmonic's uniqueness lies in the fact that it is sexist and rejects female musicians.

[@gottfriedheumesser1994]

'Except that every members of orchestra + conductors are men' - You are a bit late and have not seen the video.

[@pasimaenpaa2360]

@@gottfriedheumesser1994 honestly? You must be joking. VPO still lives in 19th century, other world 21st century. And if VPO doesn't get More women to orchestra or at least once female conductor to NYC, it will be 2nd class orchestra. Unfortunately. And i have seen enough NYC in my life. That's all.