Chineke! Orchestra - Joseph Young - Vienna Festival 2026

God, the creator of the universe and goodness: that and no less is the meaning of ‘Chineke’ in the Igbo language of Nigeria. The Chineke! Orchestra is Europe’s first professional symphony orchestra with a majority of Black and ethnically diverse musicians. It was founded in 2015 and has taken international concert stages by storm. Now they are visiting Vienna for the first time. The evening begins with the liturgical and ecstatic sounds of the energetic Four Black American Dances by the young composer Carlos Simon. The core of the concert is Symphony No. 1 in E Minor by Florence B. Price, the first ever work by an African-American female composer to have been played by a large symphony orchestra. British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s violin concerto concludes the night. It is a programme like the Chineke! Orchestra itself, a celebration of the ideal of spirited diversity in classical music.

Duration: 2h, incl. one intermission

program

Four Black American Dances (Carlos Simon),

Konzert für Violine und Orchester g-moll op. 80 (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor),

Violine: Njioma Chinyere Grevious,

Symphony No. 1 in E Minor (Florence B. Price)

Place

Wiener Konzerthaus – A Temple of Music and Culture

The Wiener Konzerthaus is one of Europe's most prestigious concert venues and a cornerstone of Vienna’s vibrant musical scene. Since its opening in 1913, it has stood for musical excellence, stylistic diversity, and artistic innovation. With four magnificent halls – the Great Hall, Mozart Hall, Schubert Hall, and Berio Hall – the Konzerthaus offers exceptional acoustics and accommodates up to 1,865 guests.

From classical music and opera to jazz, world music, and contemporary compositions, the Wiener Konzerthaus is renowned for its diverse programming, featuring both international stars and emerging talents. Alongside the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, world-class orchestras, soloists, and ensembles grace its stage, making it an essential destination for music lovers.

Getting There by Public Transport

The Wiener Konzerthaus is centrally located in the 3rd district and easily accessible by public transport:

Subway:

• U4 Stadtpark station – about a 5-minute walk
• U3/U4 Landstraße (Wien Mitte) station – about a 10-minute walk

• Lines 2, 71, D (stop Schwarzenbergplatz) – about a 3-minute walk

• Line 4A (stop Schwarzenbergplatz)

• Wien Mitte/Landstraße (connection to CAT, S-Bahn, and subway) – about a 10-minute walk