The concerts in Vienna's churches include spiritual works such as Mozart's Requiem, but there is also a purely secular program which includes Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons” and adapted operas. Church concerts are a delight, especially in summer, when a cool, airy atmosphere prevails in the architectural monuments. A small selection is presented here – further classical concerts (updated daily) can be found in our Event Search.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" are performed on Saturdays from the end of May to October in one of Vienna's leading attractions: St. Stephen's Cathedral. Vivaldi understood how to create images in music like no other: Gentle breezes and powerful storms, birdsong and the barking of a dog, the hunt, and a peasant dance. Bach's violin concert in E major is also on the program.

An impressive experience is promised by the giant organ concerts (from the end of May). Mighty sounds from more than 12,000 pipes fill one of the most beautiful church interiors in the world on one of Europe's largest organ installations. Renowned organists offers a wide-ranging program from Bach to Reger and highlights of organ music. The console stands centrally in the nave for the best view of the virtuoso offerings on the five manuals. 

Before Christmas, there follows a series of Advent concerts with the Harmonia Ensemble Vienna – with trumpet, as well as soprano and baritone solos. And at the hour of Mozart's death, at midnight on December 4, the Requiem he composed is played in full in his honor.

End of May – Oct. (Fr, Sa): Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.
End of May – Dec. (Th, Sa, Su): Giant organ concerts at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Dec. (Fr, Sa): Advent concerts
Dec. 4: Mozart's Requiem www.kunstkultur.com

Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles)

In the magnificent Baroque Church of St. Charles, the ensemble 1756 plays Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons” on the cembalo and other historical instruments (large image on top). Antonio Vivaldi was buried a few meters from the Church of St. Charles in 1741.

All year round, several times a week (break in spring). www.konzert-wien.info

Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter)

The program of music in the Baroque Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter), which is located in the heart of Vienna, is exceptionally packed – from free, almost daily organ concerts "Orgel um Drei" (Organ at Three) to performances by international choirs. The Classic Ensemble Vienna is a guest here several times a week with a program ranging from Mozart to Beethoven and Bach to Vivaldi. "Opera in the Crypt" is regularly held in the old vaults deep under the nave - with opera program for children as well as for adults.

All year round. Music program at Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter) Classic Ensemble Vienna Opera in the Crypt

Vienna Boys' Choir in the Hofburg Chapel

On Sundays, the Vienna Imperial Court Music Ensemble performs at Holy Mass in the chapel of the Imperial Palace. The ensemble comprises the Vienna Boys' Choir, members of the Vienna Philharmonic as well as the men's choir of the Vienna State Opera and the schola cantorum of the Vienna Hofburg Chapel. Mass settings by the great masters ring out: Monteverdi, Salieri, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and Bruckner.

Mid-September to end of June: every Su, 9.15 am. Reservation for seats required. www.hofmusikkapelle.gv.at

© BKA, Andy Wenzl

St. Anna

The Church of St. Anna is an example of the beauty and playfulness of the Baroque and thus a noble setting for the classical concerts that are held here several times a week. Works of chamber music by Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven are on the program.Tip: On selected days, historical instruments are used.

Year-round classical concerts www.classicexclusive.com

At Magic Trumpet before Christmas, the program ranges from Viennese classical to the most beautiful national and international Advent songs, masterfully performed by trumpeter and organist.

Dec.: Magic Trumpet www.kunstkultur.com

St. Rupert

Early Music is at home in Vienna's oldest church: From the Middle Ages to the Romantic period extends the range of music that can be experienced in the original sound during the evening concerts at St. Rupert's Church on Mondays and Tuesdays in July and August. The 8th-century Roman jewel stands on the site of the ancient settlement of Vindobona, near Schwedenplatz.

July & Aug. Evening concerts: On Facebook and www.alte-musik.co.at

From very old to the present day: Contemporary music experiences are offered by the series New Music St. Rupert. The program is tailored to the simplicity of the church interior. The various projects – such as with voices, instruments, performances, and electronics – are real hidden gems for friends of New Music.

1 concert monthly in the period March – June and Sept. – Nov. https://nmr.klingt.org

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Schubertkirche

Soloists and chamber music ensembles fill the cool, Baroque interior of the "Schubertkirche" in Lichtental in a series of summer concerts on Tuesdays, with sounds ranging from the Baroque to Modernism. The audiences here, where Franz Schubert was christened in 1797, sang and played music, are mainly Viennese. In the spring, the church is the showplace of the Schubert Festival, and on some dates there are performances on the Schubert organ, a modern organ in the original housing dating to 1774. Concerts are held on Saturday evenings during “Orgelherbst” (Organ Autumn).

Schubert Festival Vienna: every year in May
July, Aug.: Summer concerts
Oct.: Organ autumn www.schubertkirche.at

Maltese Church

Musical enjoyment is provided by the one-hour classical concerts with organ and trumpets in the Maltese Church, located right on Kärntner Strasse. The program is filled with works by Händel, Mozart and Bach, plus Viennese classics by Schubert and Haydn.

Dates: www.wienkonzert.at

Franciscan Church

Get to know the organ: At the Friday organ presentations, visitors can view the mighty Wöckherl organ - the oldest in Vienna, finished in 1642 - up close and listen to music from the time of its creation. Tip: The organ festival "Quintessenz" held in early summer each year.

April – Oct. (Fr): Organ presentations www.woeckherl-orgel.wien

St. Michael's Church

Orgel um 8 (Organ at 8) is the Saturday music program in St. Michael's Church during the warmer months. An organist presents the Sieber Organ of 1714, Vienna's largest Baroque organ, in a half-hour concert followed by a tour of the organ gallery (explanations in German and English).

June to Sept. (Sa): Orgel um 8 (Organ at 8) www.michaelerkirche.at

Capuchin Church

The Wiener Kaiserquartett presents the program "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" at the Capuchin Church from May to November. Apart from Mozart's composition that gives the program its name, other pieces include Schubert's Ave Maria, Haydn's Kaiserquartett and Bach's Air. The Advent concert series then serves up a Christmas atmosphere with songs and festive music.
This Capuchin Church is known for the Capuchin Crypt, which served as the burial site of the Habsburgs for centuries (combination ticket with crypt visit available). Its simple interior is also its trump card. The wooden fittings of the house of worship are impressive.

May – beginning of Nov. (Fr, Sa): Eine kleine Nachtmusik – concerts
Nov./Dec.: Advent concerts www.kunstkultur.com

Tip: Concerts for newcomers to classical music