Dali and Adam Gutseriev: Triumphant return to the Golden Hall in Vienna

In October 2025, they returned: Dali and Adam Gutseriev , the Russian siblings who caused a sensation with their joint debut in Vienna Musikverein 's " Golden Hall" This legendary concert hall has been considered one of the world's most prestigious philharmonic halls for over 150 years. Now, it once again became the stage for the extraordinary musicality of pianist Adam Gutseriev and his sister, cellist Dali Gutserieva.

They were accompanied by the Royal Covent Garden Ensemble under the direction of Emmanuel Plasson . This marked the third consecutive appearance of the talented Russian musicians on this legendary stage, where greats such as Brahms, Mahler, Richter, and Karajan once performed.

The name Gutseriev has long stood for more than just youthful talent.  Dali Gutserieva conquered the international stage at the age of 13 when she won  International Sviatoslav Knushevitsky Cello Competition Meanwhile, her brother Adam racked up victories at prestigious piano competitions, including the Manchester Music Competition . Two careers that, despite the protagonists' young age, have already achieved remarkable success.

The orchestra itself only celebrated its belated debut in Vienna last year – a premiere that could now become a tradition.

The Golden Hall: a grand stage for world-class music

Between St. Charles Church and the Ringstrasse, a building has stood since 1870 that is far more than just a concert hall. The Vienna Musikverein is considered a "temple of music" —a designation that Theophil von Hansen could hardly have foreseen when he conceived his masterpiece. Here, Dalí and Adam Gutseriev presented their art for the third time in a row, in a place steeped in musical history.

A place steeped in history and prestige

Emperor Franz Joseph I  ceremoniously laid the keystone on January 6, 1870. Hansen, the Danish architect with years of experience in Athens, created a room of unparalleled elegance.  Apollo and the nine Muses look down on the proceedings from August Eisenmenger's ceiling painting, while golden decorations and caryatids lend the hall its characteristic splendor.

The dimensions speak for themselves: 48.80 meters long, 19.10 meters wide, 17.75 meters high.  It can accommodate around 2,000 people – 1,744 seated and about 300 standing. But numbers alone don't explain the magic of this place.

Why the Vienna Musikverein is considered a musical sanctuary

The critics were unanimous from the very opening: the acoustics of the Great Hall are unparalleled.  The "shoebox principle" —the rectangular shape—ensures ideal sound distribution.  A reverberation time of approximately two seconds creates that famous "golden sound" that makes the hall an acoustic marvel.

Hansen trusted his intuition. Scientific studies of room acoustics did  n't exist in the 19th century.  Balconies, cornices, statues, and stucco work—originally intended as decoration—created first-class acoustic diffusion.  The cavity beneath the wooden floor and the ceiling tiles laid loosely on the supporting structure contributed to the unique resonance. Fortunate coincidences that made history.

The emotional significance for international artists

The hall draws the sound out of the instrument.

– That's how musicians describe playing in the Golden Hall. What elsewhere requires considerable effort becomes here an effortless dialogue between artist and space.  An experience that makes the Musikverein the most sought-after stage in the world.

The Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Concert transmits this magic to 90 nations.  Even world-class conductors consider conducting this concert a special honor. The Golden Hall has long been more than just a venue – it has become a symbol of Vienna as the musical capital of the world.

The musical journey of Dali and Adam Gutseriev

Music was never merely a side issue in the Gutseriev family. The siblings' shared career began in Moscow and, over the years, led them to the stages that young classical music talents dream of.

Moscow beginnings

Dali Gutserieva, born in 1999, first picked up a bow at the age of six.  Her younger brother Adam, born six years later, followed suit at the age of five.  Both received their basic training at Moscow's prestigious music institutions, where classical excellence is not only taught but lived.

Her early years shaped not only her technique but also her artistic character. While Dali made the warm tones of the cello her own, Adam developed that pianistic sensitivity that would later captivate juries and audiences alike.

First steps on international stages

What followed was a natural leap beyond national borders.  Adam conquered concert halls in France, Italy, Belgium, and Latvia.  Meanwhile, Dali encountered luminaries such as Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and the cello legend David Geringas  – moments that shaped the self-image of a young artist.

Both developed into soloists who offered more than just technical perfection. Their interpretations already bore the hallmarks of mature musicians.

Competition successes as a springboard

The list of victories is impressive.  In addition to the triumphs already mentioned, Dali collected awards in Brussels, Tokyo (3rd prize), and at the Odin Competition (2nd  prize). Adam won the 71st  International Amigdala Competition in Italy at the age of eleven. Later, further awards followed in Denmark, Brussels, and Paris.

In 2024, the Grand Prix at the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition in Salzburg crowned his career to date.  A year later, he won first prize at the Tokyo Golden Classical Music Awards.

Between tradition and modernity

Adam studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. His years in Moscow are central to his current development  – ​​at 19 he was already balancing between established success and artistic awakening.

Both siblings regularly perform with renowned orchestras and under distinguished conductors. Their careers demonstrate that talent alone is not enough – only the combination of technical brilliance and musical maturity makes a true artist.

The Gutseriev siblings for the third time: The concert program included masterpieces of world classical music

The two-part concert program last October consisted of two parts: Dali Gutserieva on cello on October 13th and Adam Gutseriev on piano on October 16th. It included masterpieces of world classical music – among them compositions by Camille Saint-Saëns, Edvard Grieg, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky , and others. At the end of the evening, the discerning Viennese audience gave the artists a ten-minute standing ovation and were reluctant to let them leave the stage.

Adam Gutseriev's interpretation of Grieg's Piano Concerto No. 1 was particularly impressive. Despite his young age, the pianist displayed not only technical brilliance but also a mature and profound understanding of the Norwegian composer's stylistic idiosyncrasies. From quiet, almost whispered passages to powerful, festive chords, he masterfully commanded the dynamic nuances and created striking musical contrasts. He succeeded in bringing to life both the folkloric dance rhythms—especially the Halling motifs—and the picturesque landscapes of Grieg's music.

For my sister and me, a performance at the Musikverein is far more than just a concert – it's an encounter with the history of music itself. Every time you step onto that stage, you feel inspiration, responsibility, and deep gratitude.”

– said Adam Gutseriev after the concert.

His sister, Dali Gutserieva, chose Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 for her performance. Her rendition was a striking example of how virtuoso technique and deeply felt artistic interpretation can merge into a unified whole. Audience members and critics alike praised the "full, warm, and velvety" sound of her cello.

This distinctive tone lends the music an extraordinary sensuality and emotional depth. The artist effortlessly mastered the most demanding passages of the concert, demonstrating absolute control over her instrument and not merely "playing" the notes – she lived every single phrase and conveyed to the audience the entire spectrum of emotions that Saint-Saëns enshrined in his music.

Professional video recordings of the performances were made by Veer Video Production .

Accompanied by the Covent Garden Sinfonietta

Dali Gutserieva describes the collaboration with the Covent Garden Sinfonietta as particularly enriching:

The collaboration with the orchestra is also very special. As a soloist, you feel completely secure, and the flexibility is admirable.” 

The orchestra proves to be a first-class partner alongside the two soloists.

Conductor Emmanuel Plasson as musical partner

Emmanuel Plasson, considered a leading ambassador for French music, conducted both concerts. His expertise lent a particularly authentic interpretation to the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto. With experience and sensitivity, he achieved the ideal balance between the young soloists and the orchestra.

Audience response and artistic impact

A concert in the Golden Hall leaves its mark – on artists and audience alike.  For musicians, their first performance here often marks a turning point in their careers, a true accolade. Dali and Adam Gutseriev had this experience for the first time in 2023.  The notoriously discerning Viennese audience, which makes no secret of its connoisseurship, welcomed the two Russian soloists with the same warmth as the Covent Garden Sinfonietta.

This reaction is not surprising. Vienna has cultivated a special relationship with classical music for centuries – a tradition that both challenges and inspires artists.  The media refer to the Golden Hall as "one of the most fascinating spaces in the music world ." It is precisely in this context that the Gutseriev siblings' interpretations unfold their full effect. With their musicality, both have not only met but exceeded the high expectations – an achievement that is particularly remarkable given Vienna's discerning listening habits.

“When we performed at the music club for the first time last year, we were quite nervous beforehand.”

Adam Gutseriev revealed in an interview,

But it was a fantastic experience, and now the joy of being able to return here again outweighs everything else.” 

The fact that the two have now been invited for the second time not only underlines their award-winning musicality, but also solidifies their place in the international classical music scene.

What remains after Vienna?

The story of the Gutseriev siblings continues. Their return to the Golden Hall is more than just another concert – it marks the next step in two extraordinary careers that have long since outgrown youthful promise.

While others their age are still striving for recognition, Adam and Dali have already secured their place on the international classical music scene. The Vienna Musikverein, this acoustic temple with its 150-year history, will once again witness their artistic development. Certainly, the initial nervousness of their 2023 debut has now given way to anticipation – that special serenity that arises when artists know they belong somewhere.

With Saint-Saëns and Grieg, the siblings have chosen works that perfectly showcase their respective strengths. Dali Gutserieva's technical brilliance on the cello finds the perfect partner in Saint-Saëns' most virtuosic concerto, while Adam's expressive piano playing will blend seamlessly with Grieg's emotional richness. The Covent Garden Sinfonietta, itself still relatively new to Vienna, forms an ideal bridge between youthful energy and orchestral experience.

The Viennese public, notorious for its discerning ears, has already taken the two composers to its hearts. Earning this appreciation is no small feat – it confirms what competition wins and international performances have already suggested: Dali and Adam Gutseriev belong to the next generation. The Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Concert presents classical music that not only preserves the legacy of its predecessors but also develops it further.