Danube Symphony

Vienna, Austria (04 November, 2022) – The world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's “Danube Symphony” took place on Thursday, November 3, in the presence of many domestic and international celebrities at the Vienna Musikverein to standing ovations and prolonged applause, enchanting the audience as well as all participants in the famous venue. Also premiered were suites from Wildhorn’s Broadway musicals, “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Dracula”.

With this world premiere, an absolute lifelong dream came true for Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award nominated composer Frank Wildhorn and his producer Walter Feucht. To be able to witness the world premiere of his own work, performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in the Großer Musikvereinssaal, belongs in the league of superlatives for any musician.

Conductor Koen Schoots:  "A great honor for me to conduct a great orchestra here in this famous hall. We have all experienced a great success together today. The never-ending applause at the end was an incredibly touching surprise for us. And I really hope that this symphony will have a long life in the future. It is music that is accessible and romantic and has beautiful melodies. It pleases the audience and fits well in the house."

 Composer Frank Wildhorn:  "Sometimes real life is better than any fantasy. And tonight was like that. I am truly humbled, as an American composer, to be able to experience the world famous Vienna Symphony Orchestra performing my music in this historic hall and overwhelmed by the response of the audience. There were so many things going through my mind, including that my Mom and Dad could not be here today, but I am blessed to be surrounded by my Takako and so many close friends. I was also thinking constantly about Leslie Bricusse, who passed away last year and was like a father to me and with whom I wrote Jekyll & Hyde, and, of course, the "Oh my God" greats - the composers, my heroes and musicians, whose works have been played here before.”

 The concert was accordingly full of sound, emotion and applause, and was attended by many celebrities, such as the Mayor of Vienna Dr. Michael Ludwig, Chris Lohner, Otto Jaus, Kevin Moore, musical stars and Wildhorn fans Sabrina Weckerlin, Mili Jovanovic, Dorina Garuci as well as Olympic champion Alexandra Timoshenko, Markus Spiegel and many more. 

Vienna Major Dr. Michael Ludwig:  "The Danube is the river in Europe that connects most countries and thus also stands for togetherness in a common Europe. And this could be heard so beautifully in the different parts of Wildhorn's symphony. A successful composition, performed by the wonderful orchestra of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of a great conductor. One could tell by the enthusiastic reaction in the hall that it was a first performance and that it was well received by the audience. Therefore, I am convinced that the Danube Symphony will have a successful way to the world and make our Danube even more popular."

Actor, singer and cabaret artist Otto Jaus:  "I have to let the nine movements set first and listen again alone in peace. It touched me and I think that's how everyone felt today. No one is going to walk out of here afterwards and say "Na joo". What happened today fascinated me immensely. I love Frank Wildhorn's compositions in general, for example Jekyll and Hyde, which is so to the point, and he has succeeded again with the symphony. Every ending of every movement always ends differently "Like you haven't heard before. Big bravo for that! When I have a free evening, I don't like to go to the theater or to a concert. So when I sit in, it's only because I have high expectations." And today I'm glad I was here and didn't stay at home.I was also able to partially turn off the musician in me and sit back and just enjoy."

 Musical star Sabrina Weckerlin:  "I am so fascinated by how much love, musicality and how many colors can be felt and heard in this composition. I come from the Black Forest, from where the Danube rises and Frank is a very close friend of mine "To be able to witness the premiere of this gigantic work here in Vienna today was therefore particularly emotional on all levels. I would love to hear the symphony again immediately. Frank can write such wonderful melodies and tell stories with them like no one else." 

 Producer Walter Feucht:  "Normally I'm not speechless, but today I am: In the most famous concert hall in the world. Minutes of applause and standing ovations, I have to realize that first. I am so flashed, happy and overwhelmed. A dream come true!"

 A tear or two was shed by a visibly moved Frank Wildhorn even during the first few minutes as he listened to the sounds of his symphony at the side of his wife Takako aka Yōka Wao in the hall, world-famous for its acoustics.

 The “Danube Symphony”, nearly 60 minutes long, is a powerful and romantic declaration of love for the river and its history. It tells of the river that - in a total length of 2,857 kilometers - flows through and connects Europe from west to east. It is an American interpretation of European eternity, which takes up a musical tradition - washed by the Danube - and brings it into the here and now. But it was composed far away from Europe in Hawaii. 

 At the conductor's podium was Koen Schoots as congenial mediator of Wildhorn's vision between composition and orchestra - known in Europe as conductor of various successful productions, among others at the Komische Oper Berlin and as music director for musicals at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien. 

 Frank WIldhorn’s “Danube Symphony” featuring the 96 piece Vienna Symphony Orchestra was recorded in the Great Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus and produced by HitSquad Records. It is available everywhere music is streamed and on CD.

“With his "Donau Symphonie" he (Wildhorn) manages to completely reinvent himself and to overcome the (already artificial) separation between light and serious music.”

- Musical Zentrale

“In the Yankee Stadium of Classical Music, Music Composer Frank Wildhorn Creates His First Serious Opus With ‘Danube Symphony’”

-Die Presse

“After a successful World Premiere, the Danube Symphony is ready to attract audiences worldwide.” “Wildhorn got kissed by the Danube's muse like many great composers before (him).”

- BroadwayWorld

"The never-ending applause at the end was an incredibly touching surprise for us. I really hope that this symphony will have a long life in the future. It is music that is accessible and romantic and has beautiful melodies. A great honor for me to conduct a great orchestra here in this famous hall." 

 - Conductor Koen Schoots

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra World Premiered Frank Wildhorn's "Danube Symphony"/"Donau Symphonie" on 3 November 2022 at the famed Wiener Musikverein in Vienna with special suites from Wildhorn's Broadway classics, Jekyll & Hyde and Dracula also making their symphonic debuts.