New Year's Day Concert 2017 VPO/Dudamel

[oddoneout]

It is a shame that for many folks this (and LNOTP) are what they assume orchestral music is "about".

Doesn't the shame lie with those in a position to change that perception but who choose not to? Happy to televise an 'event' but not prepared to build on interest shown in that event to broaden horizons. Heaven forbid that the masses should have their eyes opened to a wider world of experience and knowledge.

[oddoneout]

Here we go again... of course the occasion "just wouldn't be the same" without all the glittery ostentation, but isn't it weird that there are in the 21st century still those who seem to enjoy seeing rich people having rich-people-type fun?

I don't watch it for that reason, but neither does it offend me that they are part of the whole.
Is it really that weird that "in the 21st century" there are people who would watch such a spectacle largely because of the rich people element - it's something that's been going on for centuries(millenia?) surely? Whether that desire to watch the rich at play is a good or desirable state of affairs is another question altogether.

[Richard Barrett]

it's something that's been going on for centuries

Indeed it's wishful thinking on my part to some degree! - but, given that (often despite appearances) human societies have advanced somewhat over the centuries, away from things like rule by heredity and slave ownership, and towards things like universal literacy and gender equality, it does seem like a throwback to a forelock-tugging past. I'd prefer to emphasise the fact that this music (to name but one example), despite its origins in a more rigid class society than the ones most of us live in now, can be understood to (potentially) belong to everyone. Ahem. Happy new year to all!

[ahinton]

He meant reflux

!!!

[ahinton]

Perhaps he was disappointed that that Rennie Fleming wasn't performing.

Or that Aspirin Nelsons wasn't conducting, perhaps. Or even that the absence of both was pept abysmal...

[Prommer]

Carlos Kleiber in the audience?

Really, where? Or at what point in this video?? Would love to see that! If so, doing his prep about 14 years in advance...

[Barbirollians]

Really, where? Or at what point in this video?? Would love to see that! If so, doing his prep about 14 years in advance...

One thing is notable how much more ordinary and less bling the audience look in 1975

[kernelbogey]

Indeed it's wishful thinking on my part to some degree! - but, given that (often despite appearances) human societies have advanced somewhat over the centuries, away from things like rule by heredity and slave ownership, and towards things like universal literacy and gender equality, it does seem like a throwback to a forelock-tugging past. I'd prefer to emphasise the fact that this music (to name but one example), despite its origins in a more rigid class society than the ones most of us live in now, can be understood to (potentially) belong to everyone. Ahem. Happy new year to all!

The NYDC is part of a bigger picture of the 'Viennese New Year tradition' - part marketing for Vienna, but also part of Austria's 71 years long re-invention of itself: in Vienna's case, that includes a sentimental harking back to a 'K und K' era, helpfully eliding the 1938-1945 years.

[jean]

Here we go again... of course the occasion "just wouldn't be the same" without all the glittery ostentation, but isn't it weird that there are in the 21st century still those who seem to enjoy seeing rich people having rich-people-type fun?

Love of bling isn't confined to the super-rich, though - even if they are the ones you see in Vienna.

[jonfan]

I thought Dudamel had done his homework well and conducting from memory when so many of these pieces sound the same (to my untutored ear I hasten to add!). I think Karajan set off on the wrong piece in his NYDC outing. Does any one know if Sir Simon has been asked to do the honours?

[Alison]

I thought Dudamel had done his homework well and conducting from memory when so many of these pieces sound the same (to my untutored ear I hasten to add!). I think Karajan set off on the wrong piece in his NYDC outing. Does any one know if Sir Simon has been asked to the honours?

I shouldn't imagine it would be Sir Simon's thing at all. He'd surely struggle to make this music sound natural which was Gustavo's special distinction.

[Prommer]

I thought Dudamel had done his homework well and conducting from memory when so many of these pieces sound the same (to my untutored ear I hasten to add!). I think Karajan set off on the wrong piece in his NYDC outing. Does any one know if Sir Simon has been asked to the honours?

Yes, HvK cocked it up at one point, a victim of wishing to conduct the whole programme from memory, at the tender age of ? 80.

I doubt Sir Si would relish this. Unless he were allowed to interpolate some Boulez.... or Ives!

Petroc mentioned in his commentary that Semyon Bychkov will 'conduct' the VPO Ball later in January (not that the duties are onerous...) - I hazard a prelude to HIS being booked for the main event in 2020/1.

Someone on another site is claiming that Thielemann has been booked for 2019, but he has sempiternal duties in Dresden, so not at all sure about that...

[pastoralguy]

I doubt Sir Si would relish this. Unless he were allowed to interpolate some Boulez.... or Ives!

...

Now THAT would be interesting...!

[Petrushka]

I shouldn't imagine it would be Sir Simon's thing at all.

He did, however, conduct a couple of Strauss polkas as encores after a VPO Prom so never say never!

[Richard Barrett]

I doubt Sir Si would relish this. Unless he were allowed to interpolate some Boulez....

That would be somewhat surprising as he hardly ever conducts Boulez's music.