Wiener Konzerthaus and Philadelphia Orchestra launch new seasons

Major concert halls in Vienna and Philadelphia are launching new musical seasons.

The Wiener Konzerthaus begins its 114th season on September 9 with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by Manfred Honeck and featuring violinist Augustin Hadelich. The upcoming schedule includes performances by Alexandre Kantorow, Martha Argerich, Piotr Beczała, and Krystian Zimerman. Notable upcoming projects include a performance of Gustav Mahler’s works and a unique production of Georg Friedrich Haas’s ‘11,000 Strings’ involving 50 microtonally tuned pianos.

In the United States, the Philadelphia Orchestra will open its 2026-27 season on September 24 with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The opening night at Marian Anderson Hall will feature the U.S. premiere of Joe Hisaishi’s ‘Orbis’ and marks the 15th season for music and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The concert, which includes the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, will benefit the Musicians’ Retirement Fund.