{"id":61093,"date":"2023-06-15T09:56:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T08:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=61093"},"modified":"2025-10-30T18:52:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:52:13","slug":"classic-ensemble-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/classic-ensemble-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Classic Ensemble Vienna"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"#tickets\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/classicensembletickets.jpg\" alt=\"Sheet music\" class=\"wp-image-71923\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A visiting friend wanted to sample the delights of the city&#8217;s musical past in a suitably historical setting. So we took him into the central Peterskirche church for the regular evening concert by the Classic Ensemble Vienna. Here&#8217;s my detailed review&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Top-quality string quartet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mozart, Schubert, Bach &amp; more<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lasted c. 1 hour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wooden pews and seats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excellent acoustics &amp; ambience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bonus: friendly staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-attractions-c60335\/tickets-for-classic-ensemble-vienna-p1008299\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_CEV\" rel=\"sponsored\">concert ticket<\/a>* for the ensemble<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5359\">Concerts in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/evening\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"71635\">Evening activities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Violins &amp; Vivaldi<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/peterskirchenight.jpg\" alt=\"Peterskirche at night\" class=\"wp-image-61094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/peterskirchenight.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/peterskirchenight-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The venue)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unsurprisingly, as the home of numerous famous composers, Vienna has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5359\">plenty of classical music to offer<\/a> in world-class venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city also caters to those of us who wish a lighter classical experience: a taste of Vienna&#8217;s musical heritage wrapped in a lovely historical ambience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A popular example is the one-hour concert given by the Classic Ensemble Vienna: a string quartet performing in the 18th-century Peterskirche church right in the centre of Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what can you expect? And is it worth it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here my review of the location, organisation and music, with ticket information and other tips to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The location<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"335\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/peterskirchepainting.jpg\" alt=\"Painting of the interior of the Peterskirche by Alfred Edler von Pfl\u00fcgl\" class=\"wp-image-63866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/peterskirchepainting.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/peterskirchepainting-223x300.jpg 223w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Alfred Edler von Pfl\u00fcgl, Interior of the Peterskirche in Vienna, painted around 1900, 63.1 \u00d7 47 cm, Belvedere, Wien, Inv.-Nr. 4679\/1; Photo courtesy of and \u00a9 Belvedere, Wien. Reproduced with permission under the terms of Creative Commons License <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve written <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/peterskirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3039\">elsewhere<\/a> about the Peterskirche itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Suffice to say, the interior of this early 18th-century church offers one of those &#8220;wow&#8221; moments that Vienna does so well. (Another good one is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/prunksaal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2750\">former court library<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the concert, the magnificent architecture, frescoes and baroque d\u00e9cor provided a suitably period backdrop for the music. The surroundings also added gravitas and reverence to the occasion, while gentle lighting and a small(ish) nave gave everything an intimate feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another plus was the church&#8217;s location next to the pedestrianised Graben street; Peterskirche is about as central as it gets and a short walk from, for example, Stephansplatz subway station on the U1 and U3 lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The organisation<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/classicensembleposter.jpg\" alt=\"Concert poster against an old wall\" class=\"wp-image-61398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/classicensembleposter.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/classicensembleposter-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(This way for music and history)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We arrived at the church around 7.40pm for the 8.30pm concert and exchanged the email ticket confirmation for a paper voucher at the entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tickets did not include assigned seat numbers, but staff organised seating arrangements. This meant groups, families or friends could all sit together. The ushers were notably fast and friendly, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the audience sat in the church&#8217;s wooden pews with small flat cushions, though some had wooden caf\u00e9-style chairs. Not the height of luxury, but we were comfortable enough for the hour-length concert (longer might have had us shuffling).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So\u2026gorgeous ambience and friendly, efficient organisation. All well and good, but what about the actual performance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The music<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/portraitmozart.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Mozart courtesy of the Rijksmuseum\" class=\"wp-image-42800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/portraitmozart.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/portraitmozart-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Expect to hear music by this fine wigged chap; picture courtesy of the Rijksmuseum)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Classic Ensemble Vienna string quartet gave us pieces (or excerpts of works) by Mozart, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Bach and Dvor\u00e1k. Though to be honest, I&#8217;m going on the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mixture of the instantly recognisable (like Mozart&#8217;s <em>Eine kleine Nachtmusik<\/em> or Vivaldi&#8217;s <em>Spring<\/em> concerto from <em>The Four Seasons<\/em>) and the more cerebral. But all easy on the ears of someone (like me) who&#8217;s admittedly more Beatles than Beethoven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, the sound and quality were excellent with impeccable timing and interplay between the different quartet members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And all quite mesmerising at times, particularly watching the cellist&#8217;s hand moving up and down like an over-caffeinated spider: a flurry of fingers teasing notes from her instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One hour flew by but certainly felt long enough for those looking for an easy and high-quality taste of the classics and Vienna in a remarkable setting. So we will definitely return with future guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(If, however, you&#8217;re looking for palais venues, longer concerts, singing, or more obscure pieces, then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5359\">other options exist<\/a>, of course.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tickets\">Ticket info &amp; tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We bought the cheapest adult tickets (I have kids to put through college) in the area furthest from the musicians, but had no regrets on that choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The size of the venue and excellent acoustics meant we could hear everything perfectly. In fact, the sound quality proved quite astonishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)<\/p><div data-tiqets-widget=\"availability\" data-product-id=\"1008299\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"AW_Peter\" data-layout=\"full\"><\/div><script defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Nothing on your dates? Try some <a rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/concerts-opera-vienna-tickets-l206741\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=MSconcerts\">alternative concerts<\/a>*)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you want a close-up view of the musical dexterity on display, though, then a more expensive seat nearer the front obviously makes more sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having said that, if you get there relatively early (as we did), then you have a solid chance of an aisle-side seat with good views down to the quartet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although a church and classical concert, most folk dressed casually; I spotted shorts and t-shirts in places given the warm mid-June date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;d maybe take it up a level out of consideration for what is a working Catholic church. But that&#8217;s a purely personal choice. (I have more thoughts for you elsewhere on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/classical-concert-dress-code\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"75082\">correct attire for Vienna&#8217;s concerts<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The concert had no intermission (unnecessary for an hour&#8217;s performance), so no snacks or drinks. You go for the performance and ambience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, caf\u00e9s and restaurants fill the surrounding area. We had a fine dinner and a small beer beforehand in nearby<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-korb\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13325\"> Caf\u00e9 Korb<\/a>, one of the city&#8217;s &#8220;traditional&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/coffee-houses\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7689\">coffee houses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get there<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow my travel tips at the bottom of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/peterskirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3039\">Peterskirche article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, as mentioned above, you&#8217;re close to Stephansplatz subway station (U1 and U3). The square outside the church is also a stop on the old town bus routes: both the 1A and 2A buses stop at Graben\/Petersplatz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the buses tend not to run late at night, so are probably only an option for getting to the church but not for after the concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Petersplatz, 1010 Vienna<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1BrCYLfHiiy85k0jpzDwlKspb31KiYq4Y\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ensemble plays evening concerts in the gorgeous ambience of the central Peterskirche church &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":61095,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-61093","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-events","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61093"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86817,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61093\/revisions\/86817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}