ORF and Vienna Philharmonic renew concert broadcast deal

The ORF and the Vienna Philharmonic have extended their agreement on broadcasting the orchestra’s New Year’s Concert and Summer Night Concert for another five years, ORF reported. The contract was signed on Thursday in Salzburg during a traditional reception held by the orchestra on the sidelines of the Salzburg Festival.

Vienna Philharmonic chairman Daniel Froschauer, managing director Michael Bladerer and ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher signed the agreement. The current contract runs through 2027.

The two concerts are among the world’s most-watched classical music events. They are now available on television, radio and streaming in more than 150 countries.

“As a public-service broadcaster, ORF has a responsibility to make such outstanding cultural moments accessible to as many people as possible, in Austria and around the world,” Thurnher said. She added that the broadcaster’s production and editorial expertise helped bring the orchestra’s sound to millions of viewers worldwide.

During the media event, Bladerer thanked dismissed director Markus Hinterhäuser for his work and looked ahead to the subscription concerts of the new season. He said contemporary music remained a challenge for orchestras, noting that works premiered in the past were often never performed again. The Vienna Philharmonic now wants to take a different approach, he said.

Froschauer also presented Tugan Sokhiev in his role as designated conductor of the New Year’s Concert. “We need the younger generation to follow in the footsteps of the older one. He is a musician’s musician and has a wonderful heart,” Froschauer said.

Sokhiev will also conduct the Vienna Philharmonic’s concerts at the Salzburg Festival in August. The 48-year-old Russian conductor has had a close association with the orchestra for many years.