The Vienna Philharmonic will play its traditional New Year’s concert in Austria at 11:15 a.m. on January 1.
This is the unmissable classical music event on January 1st. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs on the first day of the year for its traditional New Year’s Concert. It will be broadcast live on France 2 from 11:15 a.m. History, program, dance… The Dispatch invites you to find out more.
When was the first concert?
The New Year’s concert was first performed in 1939 in Vienna, Austria. The first televised broadcast dates from 1958. Concerts are given on December 30 and 31 and January 1, but only the New Year’s concert is filmed.
Where is the concert taking place?
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra concert takes place in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein. It is renowned for having one of the best acoustics in the world.
What is the theme this year?
The concert is placed under the sign of the 150th anniversary of the Vienna Universal Exhibition of 1873. A special program will be broadcast on this theme during the intermission.
What is the program for the 2023 concert?
- Eduard Strauss : Who’s dancing? Rapid Polka, Op. 251
- Josef Strauss: heroic poems. Waltz, Op. 87
- Johann Strauss II: Quadrille du Baron tzigane, op. 422
- Carl Michael Ziehrer : In a cozy night. Valse, op. 488
- Johann Strauss II: Fresh here! Polka rapide, op. 386
- Franz von Suppé: Overture to the operetta “Isabella”
- Josef Strauss: Pearls of Love. Valse, Op. 39
- Josef Strauss: Angelica. Polka française, op. 123
- Eduard Strauss: Up and away. Rapid Polka, Op. 73
- Josef Strauss: Heiterer Muth. Polka française, op. 281
- Josef Strauss: Forever. Polka rapide, op. 193
- Josef Strauss : Zeisserln. False, op. 114
- Josef Hellmesberger (fils): Glocken-Polka et galop du ballet “Excelsior”
- Josef Strauss: Allegro Fantastique for Orchestra, Ann. 26b
- Josef Strauss: Watercolors. Waltz, Op. 258
The concert generally ends with three encores following the main program. The first is a fast polka, the second is “Le beau Danube bleu” during which the public applauds in introduction and finally by “La marche de Radetzky” where the public claps their hands in rhythm with the complicity of the conductor.
Who will be the conductor?
The New Year’s Orchestra will be conducted this year by Austrian conductor Franz-Welser Möst. This is the third time that he has done this exercise following 2011 and 2013. He is currently musical director of the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the most important American symphony orchestras.
The New Year’s Concert 2023 will be conducted by Franz Welser-Möst for the third time in the magnificent Golden Hall of the Musikverein Wien.✨
Pre-order is now available: https://t.co/Pct7oWfFrN @sony_classical pic.twitter.com/w4d28nF1tx— Vienna Philharmonic (@Vienna_Phil) December 2, 2022
What will the dance show be?
The concert is completed by dance interludes by the Vienna State Ballet. Three interludes instead of two are planned this year to accompany the waltzes “Perlen der Liebe” by Josef Strauss, “The Beautiful Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss and the polka “Auf und davon” by Eduard Strauss. Another new feature: the Vienna Boys’ Choir will be joined by the Girls’ Choir to perform Josef Strauss’ polka “Heiterer Muth” side by side
Does the musical programming vary often?
Traditionally, the music played is that of the Strauss family (Johann Strauss, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Eduard Strauss). In 1980, the orchestra played for the first time works by a non-Austrian composer: the Frenchman Jacques Offenbach.
Have French people ever conducted the orchestra?
A single conductor conducted the New Year’s concert: Georges Prêtre in 2008 and 2010. He died in 2017 and was buried in Navès in the Tarn.
How to attend the New Year’s concert?
The demand for places is so strong each year that a draw is organized by the philharmonic orchestra following registration on its website.
Is the New Year’s concert a success with the audience?
Filmed by Austrian television, it is broadcast live in 90 countries and attracts around 50 million viewers. It is France 2 who has the broadcasting rights for France.
