CD REVIEW -
NEW
YEAR’S DAY CONCERT 2025
VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
RICCARDO MUTI
SONY 198028755993
This annual
concert has been a look forward
to musical highlight for almost
as long as I can remember. I am
reviewing the DVD as nowadays
experiencing delight in the event
is very much visual as well as
audible. And there is no price
difference between this and the
2-CD album [Sony 19802875582].
The programme
marks the start of a year of
celebration commemorating the
birth of Johann Strauss II two
hundred years ago. Works composed
by him are: Overture to 'The
Gypsy Baron', Demolition Men's,
Either–Or!, Annen,
Tritsch-Tratsch (Chit-Chat)
and The Bayadère Polkas,
Lagoon, Acceleration, Wine, Women
and Song and The
Beautiful Blue Danube Waltzes.
From the rest of
the Strauss family, youngest
brother Eduard gets a hearing
with his Light and Airy Polka,
the middle brother, Josef, is
shamefully only allocated two
tracks – although one of
them is my favourite, the lovely Village
Swallows from Austria –
and father Johann I also has two
with the Freedom and Radetzky
Marches that begin and end
proceedings.
Firdinandus
Waltz is a significant work:
written by a 12-year-old,
Constanze Geiger (1835-90),
incredibly the first ever piece
by a woman composer performed by
the VPO over the 85 years of the
concert. Another first is Josef
Hellmesberger II's Jolly
Brethren March.
It is a joy to
watch on the podium – for
the seventh time – the
frequently smiling esteemed
two-time Grammy Award winning
83-year-old Italian conductor,
Riccardo Muti, who has conducted
the orchestra in over 500
concerts since 1971, and they
obviously enjoy playing under his
elegantly wielded baton.
Additional
features on the DVD are the
customary on-location dance
sequences with the Vienna Ballet;
and the interval takes us on a
fascinating space-themed 'Strauss
Odyssey'. There is no mention of
these in the liner notes and they
come under 'Bonus' at the end of
the concert.
Traditionally,
Muti and the musicians wish the
audience of an estimated 50
million watching or listening
around the world "Happy New
Year", and in his short
address the Maestro says that
"What we can contribute to
peace, beauty and harmony is
little, but important. We need
music more than ever because it
is medicine for the soul".
This release is my
prescription in whatever form
(CD, DVD, Blu-ray, Vinyl) you
prefer.
©
Peter Burt, January 2025
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