The Salzburg Festival, for many regarded as the world's most renowned music festival, is by tradition a high-profile event. The 2009 Salzburg Festival opening concert with the Vienna Philharmonic under Nikolaus Harnoncourt, an homage to the Viennese dance, also honored the esteemed conductor on his 80th birthday. "There is a special philharmonic sound under Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and the Vienna Philharmonic sound as they should in the best-possible case: velvety smooth and incredibly compelling." (Salzburger Nachrichten)