VPO Jan 1

Edited: January 1, 2026, 2:44 PM · The gala from Vienna seemed pretty good this year. One nice change was that where there would have been something awkward with ballerinas and Lipizzaners, there was instead a more artistic film spliced in.

After the Ravel, some lovely Kreisler played by one of Yamen Saadi, one of the Concertmasters, on a famous golden period Strad. https://youtu.be/jhXbTazOGJY?si=YTE7uWkzbGXPhVhp&t=2381

Mit a little extra schlag.

Replies (5)

Andrew Fryer

Edited: January 1, 2026, 3:21 PM · I recorded it. The musical content doesn't interest me any more than Rieu's, but I love any Austrian scenic inserts, having lived in Oberbayern.
I watched the last half hour. Only one flute? And gold is tacky, especially in an orchestra where it just looks like brass!

Paul Deck

January 1, 2026, 3:28 PM · I think we heard some of it on the radio (broadcast FM in Philadelphia) this morning and I enjoyed it. It's not supposed to be deep literature. It's meant to be a sunny, uplifting pops concert. And there's something to hearing that kind of fare executed really well.

Andrew Fryer

Edited: January 1, 2026, 3:50 PM · Yeah, but the same every year?

Funnily enough The Sound of Music was on later. I loved the initial aerial shots, but after 10 seconds of Julie Andrews' singing I felt as though I was at the dentist's.

jean dubuisson

January 1, 2026, 3:57 PM · The fantastic level of perfection, the lightness, the togetherness, and the joyful music, is why I am a big fan of the Vienna new year concert. We get it live on TV here in Belgium. And indeed the interludes like the one linked by Stephen are also quite exquisitely done.

Stephen Symchych

January 1, 2026, 4:39 PM · The difference between this and Rieu's road show is incalculable, and when they get in a groove with a great conductor, the results are remarkable by any standard. Carlos Kleiber's 1989 concert is still on my Desert Island wish list.

VPO Jan 1

Replies (5)

Subscribe

Laurie's Books