Kleine Ehrbar Saal

The Kleine Ehrbar Saal, built in 1911, is a true Art Nouveau gem in the heart of Vienna. Its intimate atmosphere and beautifully preserved historic interiors make it a particularly charming venue for chamber music and other small-scale cultural events.

Remarkably, many of its original features have survived, from the elegant Thonet seating and parquet flooring to the historic chandeliers and wall paneling. 

The hall forms part of the historic Ehrbar complex in Vienna’s 4th district, Wieden. The Palais Ehrbar was built in 1876–1877 for piano manufacturer Friedrich Ehrbar, and the venue has a long and distinguished connection with Vienna’s musical life. The Ehrbar halls have hosted important figures of classical music, including Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Arnold Schönberg and Gustav Mahler. 

Today, the Kleine Ehrbar Saal combines this rich historical character with modern concert facilities. Its standard equipment includes two C. Bechstein grand pianos: a Concert C 234 semi-concert grand and a Concert B 212 parlour grand. Acoustic curtains allow the reverberation of the room to be adjusted, making the space particularly well suited to chamber music, vocal recitals and intimate performances. Following its renovation, the hall can accommodate up to 48 guests. 

In 2021, C. Bechstein took over the Ehrbar Saal and its associated spaces, launching the most extensive renovation of the complex in around 140 years. The restoration was carried out under strict heritage-protection requirements, with the aim of preserving the historic character of the venue while bringing it back into active use as an important part of Vienna’s contemporary cultural scene. 

The result is a rare combination of historic Viennese elegance, exceptional acoustics and an intimate setting—an ideal environment for chamber music and close encounters between musicians and audience.