The Skandalkonzert, held in Vienna, was a concert organized by the Vienna Concert Society that showcased the groundbreaking works of prominent early 20th-century composers, including Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Alexander von Zemlinsky, and Anton von Webern. As modernism took root in the arts, the concert was intended to promote a new artistic direction that emphasized innovative and avant-garde approaches to music. However, what was meant to be a celebration of modern composition quickly devolved into chaos as a sizable section of the audience expressed their contempt for the radical styles presented.

During the performance, audience members began to heckle the musicians, leading to escalating tensions. The opposition was vociferous, with shouts and verbal altercations marking the atmosphere, and soon physical confrontations broke out among the attendees. The riot was fueled by heated disagreements over artistic merit, with traditionalists vehemently rejecting the dissonance and complexity of the modernist works being performed. The police were summoned, and the concert was forcibly ended before the scheduled program could be completed, bringing a swift and ignoble conclusion to the evening.

The Skandalkonzert became infamous not only for the violence it incited but also for the large-scale cultural implications it represented. The stark divide over musical styles reflected broader societal tensions as the world transitioned into modernity. The controversy sparked debates about artistic expression and the role of audiences in shaping the reception of new art forms. This incident remains a significant chapter in the history of music, marking a notable clash between innovation and tradition in the early 20th century.