ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien (RSO Wien) is Austria's public-broadcaster-owned radio symphony orchestra, performing classical and contemporary repertoire at Viennese venues and international festivals while running music education programs and a membership-supported recording catalogue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien does
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien (RSO Wien) is the symphony orchestra of ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk), Austria's public broadcaster, based at Argentinierstraße 30a in Vienna's 4th district. It operates as a cultural division of ORF and performs a full annual season of orchestral concerts across Vienna's premier venues — the Musikverein (Golden Hall), Wiener Konzerthaus, ORF RadioKulturhaus, and Theater an der Wien — alongside international festival appearances at the Salzburger Festspiele and tours to venues such as Janáček Theater Brno and Helmut List Halle Graz.
The orchestra's programming spans the standard classical canon (Bruckner, Mahler, Beethoven) and contemporary works, supported by a substantial recording catalogue that has earned international recognition (ICMA 2024 Special Achievement Award for the complete Bruckner symphonies, ICMA 2025 for John Adams under Marin Alsop, Grammy nomination, Opus Klassik, Diapason d'Or, International Opera Award 2016). It is led by Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, with Markus Poschner succeeding from the 2026/27 season. The orchestra runs an extensive music education portfolio — the 'my RSO' family (mini concerts for primary schools, Musiklabor for secondary schools, family concerts, rehearsal visits) and the 'Warum Klassik?' podcast in its 6th season — and a tiered membership program (Friends of RSO: Silver €38/year, Gold €333/year).
Revenue is structurally anchored in ORF's public broadcasting funding, supplemented by concert ticket sales, recording and CD sales through the ORF Shop (e.g., myRSO I 24-CD box at €149, myRSO II 12-CD at €192), membership subscriptions, and royalties. Distribution is nationwide through ORF Ö1 radio broadcasts, FM4 crossover sessions, ORF III cultural TV, digital streaming (Spotify), and physical retail; there is no external investment, private equity, or publicly traded equity component.
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien
- Legal name
- ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
- Website
- https://rso.orf.at
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien (RSO Wien) is Austria's public-broadcaster-owned radio symphony orchestra, performing classical and contemporary repertoire at Viennese venues and international festivals while running music education programs and a membership-supported recording catalogue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Classical Music Performance / Symphony Orchestra
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arranging & Orchestration (MPAIAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Custom Music & Original Score/Composition (MPAIALAD)
Keywords
Where ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Public Broadcasting Funding: As the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester, the orchestra receives funding from ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation), Austria's public broadcaster, as part of its cultural mandate.
- Concert Ticket Sales: Revenue from live concert performances at Musikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, ORF RadioKulturhaus, Theater an der Wien, and international venues. Ticket prices vary by concert type.
- Friends of RSO Membership: Annual membership program with Silver (€38/year, students €34) and Gold (€333/year) tiers offering benefits including free CDs, concert discounts, backstage access, and exclusive events.
- CD and Recording Sales: Sale of commercial recordings through ORF Shop including orchestral works, vocal recordings, DVDs, and the myRSO compilation boxes (24 CDs at €149 standard, €115 for members).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Silver Membership - Annual membership for classical music enthusiasts |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Membership - Premium annual membership with exclusive benefits |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | myRSO I Box Set - 24 CDs |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | myRSO II Box Set - 12 CDs |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | RSO@work Open Rehearsal Tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels10 records
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RSO Wien is a public radio symphony orchestra that delivers live symphonic concert performances of classical and contemporary repertoire at major Viennese venues and international festivals. Its offerings include subscription concert series, opera productions, music education programs for schools and families, a music education podcast, and commercial CD box sets. The orchestra is funded by ORF (Austrian public broadcaster) and supplemented by ticket sales, memberships, and recording sales.
Product overview
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien (RSO Wien) is a classical radio symphony orchestra that provides music education and public concert programs. Its product portfolio consists of music education programs (the 'Warum Klassik' podcast, 'my RSO mini' for primary schools, 'my RSO Musiklabor' for secondary schools, family concerts, and opera workshops) combined with public concert programming (season concerts, rehearsal visits, and new format programs like 'Neue Wege. Neue Nähe'). The organization also produces CD compilations ('my RSO' and 'my RSO II' box sets) featuring recordings from its audio archives. The orchestra's chief conductor is Marin Alsop, with Markus Poschner becoming chief conductor from the 2026/27 season.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Music education programs reaching school children from primary school through secondary school
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Markus PoschnercoreIncoming Chief Conductor from season 2026/27, known for innovative programming and accessible concert formats including 'Poschners Meilensteine' and new audience development initiatives.
- Theater an der WiencoreLong-standing opera production partnership since 2007, featuring staged and semi-staged opera performances including award-winning productions like 'Peter Grimes' and 'Candide'.
- Ö1coreORF's classical music radio station serves as primary broadcast partner for live concert transmissions and pre-recorded orchestral programming, extending RSO Wien's reach to national audiences.
- FM4minorORF's youth and alternative station partners with RSO Wien for crossover sessions and contemporary collaborations, expanding reach beyond traditional classical audiences.
- ORF III Kultur und InformationminorCultural television channel providing additional broadcast reach for RSO Wien productions and special programming.
- ORF RadioKulturhauscoreORF's cultural venue serves as home base for RSO Wien rehearsals, chamber concerts, and selected performances, providing intimate performance space and production facilities.
- Musikverein WiencorePrimary concert venue for subscription series including 'Poschners Meilensteine' performances in the prestigious Golden Hall, one of Vienna's most renowned concert venues.
- Wiener KonzerthauscoreMajor venue for subscription series and special events including galas and concert introductions, providing world-class facilities for RSO performances.
- Salzburger FestspielecoreAnnual festival performances at Felsenreitschule including Young Conductors Award concerts, opera productions, and prestigious guest appearances at one of world's leading music festivals.
- musikprotokoll im steirischen herbstminorContemporary music festival at Helmut List Halle Graz featuring premieres, world premieres, and new commissions by RSO Wien, supporting contemporary repertoire development.
- Marin AlsopcoreInternationally acclaimed American conductor serving as Chief Conductor of RSO Wien, the first woman to lead a major Austrian orchestra, bringing distinctive programming and international recognition.
- KulturKontakt AustriaminorEducational partnership promoting active art and culture education for schools, supporting the my RSO Musiklabor workshops for secondary school students.
- Musikverein Wien (Cooperation)minorCooperation for 'am@deus' programme bringing school classes to final rehearsals in the Musikverein's Golden Hall, providing unique educational access.
- Theater an der Wien (tawumm Programme)minorYouth opera education programme 'tawumm' introducing teenagers to opera through behind-the-scenes experiences and workshops.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BBC Symphony Orchestra: BBC's flagship radio orchestra in London — the closest international analog as a public-broadcaster-affiliated symphony orchestra with broadcast, education, and contemporary repertoire mandates.
- Radio-Symphonieorchester Berlin: Berlin's radio symphony orchestra (formerly RSB, now part of Deutschlandfunk Kultur ecosystem). Direct structural analog as a German radio orchestra with similar public-broadcaster funding model.
- Tonkünstler-Orchester: Austrian touring orchestra based in Niederösterreich performing subscription concerts at Musikverein and Grafenegg — comparable in scale, Austrian home market, and classical-contemporary programming balance.
- Wiener Philharmoniker: Vienna's flagship orchestra sharing the same concert halls (Musikverein Golden Hall), conductor pool, and local subscription audience. Most directly comparable peer given city, scale, and repertoire breadth.
- NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester: Hamburg-based radio orchestra of NDR performing at the Elbphilharmonie with comparable blend of classical, contemporary, and broadcast-driven programming.
- NHK Symphony Orchestra: Japan's flagship radio orchestra affiliated with public broadcaster NHK — the Asia-Pacific analog to RSO Wien's public-broadcaster-affiliated orchestra model.
- Bruckner Orchester Linz: Austrian symphony orchestra that co-produced the ICMA-winning complete Bruckner symphonies cycle with RSO Wien under Poschner — direct collaboration partner with directly comparable Austrian public-broadcaster positioning.
- Wiener Symphoniker: Second major Vienna-based subscription orchestra performing at Konzerthaus and Musikverein with overlapping repertoire and audience. Closely comparable in scale, structure, and city-level competition.
- SWR Symphonieorchester: German public-broadcaster radio orchestra with overlapping mandate: concert programming, education, and contemporary music commissions under a single public-service umbrella.
Broad incumbents
- Berliner Philharmoniker: Larger, globally dominant orchestra with a self-governing structure and direct digital subscription business (Digital Concert Hall). Sets the upper benchmark for prestige and commercial scale that all radio orchestras measure themselves against.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien social profiles
Digital presenceORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien
What does ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien do?
RSO Wien is a public radio symphony orchestra that delivers live symphonic concert performances of classical and contemporary repertoire at major Viennese venues and international festivals. Its offerings include subscription concert series, opera productions, music education programs for schools and families, a music education podcast, and commercial CD box sets. The orchestra is funded by ORF (Austrian public broadcaster) and supplemented by ticket sales, memberships, and recording sales.
Is ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien a public or private company?
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien founded?
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien based?
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public Broadcasting Funding is the primary driver. The others are concert Ticket Sales, friends of RSO Membership and CD and Recording Sales.
Who are ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BBC Symphony Orchestra, Radio-Symphonieorchester Berlin, Tonkünstler-Orchester, Wiener Philharmoniker, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Bruckner Orchester Linz, Wiener Symphoniker and SWR Symphonieorchester. Berliner Philharmoniker is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien have an API?
No public API is recorded for ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien.
What industry is ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien in?
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien - RSO Wien's product category is Classical Music Performance / Symphony Orchestra. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAHAG, Arranging & Orchestration, with a secondary code of MPAGABAH, Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama). Its NAICS code is 71113 and its SIC code is 4832.