Linzer Konzertverein
One of Austria's oldest amateur orchestras, founded in Linz in 1919 and performing symphonic concerts at the Brucknerhaus.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
The Linzer Konzertverein is an amateur orchestra based in Linz, Austria, and one of the oldest amateur orchestras in the country. It traces its origins to a house-music circle formed after the end of the First World War, which was soon expanded into a salon orchestra. At the end of 1919 the orchestra association was officially registered under the name "Tonzunft" Linz. The musicians' guild initially opposed the registration, fearing competition from a dilettante orchestra. Within four years the salon orchestra had grown into a large orchestra of fifty members, giving regular symphonic concerts under the direction of Max Damberger; a 1923 announcement for the second annual association concert documents this early public activity. On 30 September 1925 the association changed its name to Linzer Konzertverein, marking the beginning of its rise. The number of active musicians increased and audiences grew steadily. In the 1930/31 season the orchestra gave joint concerts with the theater orchestra, the Linzer Musikerbund and the Linzer Musikverein, and professional musicians supported its orchestral work selflessly. On 22 April 1939 the association gave a festive concert for its 20th anniversary, which would remain its last for a long time: the war interrupted the orchestra's activity, and the association was reported as "dormant", thereby escaping dissolution by the Nazi authorities. After the war, returning musicians sought to resume their cultural activity, but faced considerable difficulties. There was no performance venue, as the Kaufmännisches Vereinshaus was partly destroyed, instruments were lacking, and the American occupation added further obstacles. Nevertheless, on 28 June 1947 the Linzer Konzertverein gave the first symphonic concert in Linz after the Second World War in the Vereinshaus. Anton Konrath served as permanent conductor until 1955, followed until 1961 by Michael Hutterstrasser, conductor of the Linz theater orchestra. From 1961 to 1990 Leopold Mayer took over artistic direction; since then the orchestra has been led by changing guest conductors. Today the Linzer Konzertverein is an amateur orchestra that stages two symphonic concerts annually at the Brucknerhaus Linz. Its programs typically combine classical and romantic repertoire, as illustrated by its planned 2026 autumn concert, which ranges from early Viennese classicism through Mozart, Mendelssohn, Lanner, Strauss and Brahms to Arensky and Britten. The association has received several honors, including the "Ehrenplakette der Stadt Linz" in 1957, the "Verdienstzeichen des Landes Oberösterreich" in 1978 and the "Kulturmedaille der Stadt Linz" in 1983. Leadership has passed through several hands: after Wolfram Ziegler, who guided the association for 39 years until his death in 2006, Arnold Wiesberger led it until 2010, followed by former managing director Hans Lißberger; since April 2023 Walter Rescheneder has led the Linzer Konzertverein.
History
The Linzer Konzertverein is one of the oldest amateur orchestras in Austria. Its roots lie in a house-music circle founded after the end of the First World War, which was soon expanded into a salon orchestra. At the end of 1919 the orchestra association was officially registered under the name "Tonzunft" Linz. At that time the musicians' guild made considerable difficulties, fearing competition from a dilettante orchestra. After four years the salon orchestra had become a large orchestra with fifty members, who regularly appeared in public with symphonic concerts under the direction of Max Damberger, as evidenced by the announcement of the 2nd annual association concert of the Tonzunft on 7 April 1923 in the Kaufmännisches Vereinshaus. On 30 September 1925 the association's name was changed to LINZER KONZERTVEREIN and its rise began. The number of active musicians increased and the audience grew ever larger. In the 1930/31 season joint concerts with the theater orchestra, the Linzer Musikerbund and the Linzer Musikverein were on the program. Professional musicians selflessly supported the orchestra work of the Linzer Konzertverein. On 22 April 1939 the association gave a festive concert on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, which was then its last for a long time, for the war interrupted the orchestra's activity; the association was reported as "dormant" and thus escaped dissolution by the Nazi authorities. According to MGG, the orchestra was for many years the leading symphony orchestra of the city with regular performances. In 1926 the Konzertverein gave the premiere of Franz Neuhofer's "Variationen über ein Thema von Haydn". After the war, musicians returning from the war wanted to resume their cultural activity. This was not at all easy. There was no performance venue, because the Kaufmännisches Vereinshaus was partly destroyed; instruments were lacking, and the American occupation was not exactly helpful either. Nevertheless, on 28 June 1947 the Linzer Konzertverein was able to give the first symphonic concert in Linz after the Second World War in the Vereinshaus. Anton Konrath became permanent conductor until 1955. He was followed until 1961 by Michael Hutterstrasser, conductor of the Linz theater orchestra. From 1961 to 1990 Leopold Mayer took over artistic direction. Since then changing guest conductors have led the orchestra. For its 50th anniversary in 1969, the organist and composer Augustinus Franz Kropfreiter dedicated a work entitled "Musica festiva" to the Konzertverein. The association was awarded the "Ehrenplakette der Stadt Linz" in 1957 for special services to musical life in Linz, the "Verdienstzeichen des Landes Oberösterreich" in 1978 to the then chairman Wolfram Ziegler for his services to the Linzer Konzertverein, and the "Kulturmedaille der Stadt Linz" in 1983. At the time of Ziegler's activity the association had about 80 members. After the death of Konsulent Wolfram Ziegler, who guided the association's fortunes for 39 years until his death in 2006, he was followed by Mag. Arnold Wiesberger until 2010, who was succeeded by the former managing director Hans Lißberger. Since April 2023 the Linzer Konzertverein has been led by Walter Rescheneder. Chief conductors: 1919 Viktor Neubauer; 1920–1921 Bruno Hartig; 1922–1939 Max Damberger; 1947–1955 Anton Konrath; 1956–1961 Michael Hutterstrasser; 1961–1990 Leopold Mayer; from 1990 changing guest conductors. Today the Linzer Konzertverein is an amateur orchestra that stages two symphonic concerts annually at the Brucknerhaus Linz.
- 2023
Walter Rescheneder becomes leader in April.
- 2010
Hans Lißberger succeeds Arnold Wiesberger.
- 2006
Death of Wolfram Ziegler after 39 years of leadership; Arnold Wiesberger succeeds.
- 1990
Leopold Mayer's tenure ends; changing guest conductors lead the orchestra.
- 1983
Awarded the "Kulturmedaille der Stadt Linz".
- 1978
Wolfram Ziegler awarded the "Verdienstzeichen des Landes Oberösterreich".
- 1969
50th anniversary; Augustinus Franz Kropfreiter dedicates "Musica festiva".
- 1961
Leopold Mayer becomes artistic director until 1990.
- 1957
Awarded the "Ehrenplakette der Stadt Linz".
- 1956
Michael Hutterstrasser becomes conductor until 1961.
Products and positioning
Amateur symphony orchestra with a long tradition, presenting classical repertoire in Linz's leading concert hall.
Annual symphonic concerts at Brucknerhaus Linz
Herbstkonzert 2026 (Autumn Concert 2026)
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