New Year's Day Concert 2017 VPO/Dudamel

[Petrushka]

Programme for the 2017 New Year's Day Concert:

Franz Lehár: Nechledil March from the Operetta Wiener Frauen
Émile Waldteufel: Les Patineurs. Waltz, op. 183
Johann Strauss (son): S' gibt nur a Kaiserstadt,s' gibt nur a Wien. Polka, op. 291
Josef Strauss: Winterlust. Polka (schnell), op. 121
Johann Strauss (son):Mephistos Höllenrufe. Waltz, op. 101
Johann Strauss (son): So ängstlich sind wir nicht! Schnell-Polka, op. 413


[interval]


Franz von Suppé: Overture - Pique Dame
Carl Michael Ziehrer: Hereinspaziert! Waltz op. 518
Otto Nicolai: Mondaufgang from the opera 'Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor'
Johann Strauß (son): Pepita-Polka, op. 138
Johann Strauss (son): Rotunde-Quadrille, op. 360
Johann Strauss (son): Die Extravaganten. Waltz, op. 205
Johann Strass (father): Indianer-Galopp. op. 111
Josef Strauss: Die Nasswalderin. Polka mazur,op. 267
Johann Strauss (son): Auf zum Tanze! Polka schnell, op. 436
Johann Strauss (son): Tausend und eine Nacht. Waltz op. 346
Johann Strauss (son): Tik-Tak. Polka schnell, op. 365

Wiener Philharmoniker
Gustavo Dudamel

interesting programme with some rarities but strangely lacking in all but one of the great waltzes of Johann Strauss and, once again, little from Josef whom I contend is the better composer and whose waltzes are absolute gems.

As for Dudamel, he might be the youngest conductor ever at these concerts, but I'm not particularly enthusiastic to hear him in this music and think his star is waning

[Alison]

After a couple of uninspiring years I'm more than pleased to see the Dude have a go. We do rather need a new 'star' at this event! This year I'm not studying the programme in advance hoping to engender a more spontaneous reaction on the day. I did just catch a glimpse of Tik-tak as I replied!

[underthecountertenor]

After a couple of uninspiring years I'm more than pleased to see the Dude have a go. We do rather need a new 'star' at this event! This year I'm not studying the programme in advance hoping to engender a more spontaneous reaction on the day. I did just catch a glimpse of Tik-tak as I replied!

I very much enjoyed Jansons last year. Prêtre a few years ago was wonderful too. I think that the idea of a 'star' rather goes against the ethos of the concert, which is surely to do with the orchestra's Strauss tradition. I don't want a conductor who will get in the way of that. I fear that Dudamel might.

[Stanfordian]

After a couple of uninspiring years I'm more than pleased to see the Dude have a go. We do rather need a new 'star' at this event! This year I'm not studying the programme in advance hoping to engender a more spontaneous reaction on the day. I did just catch a glimpse of Tik-tak as I replied!

Hiya Alison,

I very much agree with your view: "After a couple of uninspiring years I'm more than pleased to see the Dude have a go." With the odd exception the event has been lacklustre over the last few years.

[Petrushka]

This is my 46th NYDC and I still long for the simpler tradition of Willi Boskovsky as I first encountered it in the early 1970s. Of those since Boskovsky's last in 1979 only Herbert von Karajan (1987) and Carlos Kleiber (1989 & 1992) have come anywhere near to approaching true greatness. Dudamel is a puzzling choice as he hasn't, as far as I am aware, shown any aptitude for conducting this kind of music and would appear to be a sop towards the record industry. I long to have a true Viennese conductor back at the helm even if it's one nobody has heard of. Still think Manfred Honeck (a former VPO member) would be a top choice.

Like other events that grow from a local venture into a global money-spinner it's not what it was. In 1977, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Josef Strauss, Boskovsky chose a programme entirely made up of Josef's music (Blue Danube and Radetsky apart). I wonder if such a thing could happen now.

[Richard Tarleton]

I'm looking forward to the ballet bits, and to the scenes from the Viennese countryside

(No, really )

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm looking forward to the ballet bits, and to the scenes from the Viennese countryside

(No, really )

[Petrushka]

A reminder that the complete concert is being broadcast, not just on R3, but also on BBC TV via the Red Button Channel 601 starting at 10.10. Why the Beeb don't advertise this more strongly is something I just do not understand but it's there.

[Alison]

I very much enjoyed Jansons last year. Prêtre a few years ago was wonderful too. I think that the idea of a 'star' rather goes against the ethos of the concert, which is surely to do with the orchestra's Strauss tradition. I don't want a conductor who will get in the way of that. I fear that Dudamel might.

Actually I am against the notion of a 'star' in the sense of a much vaunted celebrity and I agree that is contrary to the spirit of the event. Clumsy wording on my part.

Even so I am not convinced that this repertoire doesn't require inspired direction from the rostrum much like anything else. I am not certain that Dudamel will provide this (I rather fancy he will) but am pleased that someone new is being given a chance.

Like Richard, I rather enjoy the extras. Some good looking dancers are no hindrance to pleasure!

[Alison]

who's going to be first to comment on the male/female ratio in the orchestra this year?

I will also take the opportunity of pointing out, as happens annually in this parish, that the Danube is not blue.

Perhaps I've been on the forum too long

[Petrushka]

who's going to be first to comment on the male/female ratio in the orchestra this year?

I will also take the opportunity of pointing out, as happens annually in this parish, that the Danube is not blue.

Perhaps I've been on the forum too long

I think the male/female ratio in the VPO question is now largely a thing of the past. Impatient types seemed not to understand that this was something that the orchestra could only do gradually In order to retain their unique sound and this seems now to have been done.

The Danube? Depending on the sunlight, yes it can be blue. And it can always be blue in the world of the imagination.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I think the male/female ratio in the VPO question is now largely a thing of the past.

They no longer have a male/ female ratio at all?

[Stanfordian]

I think the male/female ratio in the VPO question is now largely a thing of the past. Impatient types seemed not to understand that this was something that the orchestra could only do gradually In order to retain their unique sound and this seems now to have been done.

The Danube? Depending on the sunlight, yes it can be blue. And it can always be blue in the world of the imagination.

Hiya Petrushka,

Yes still some way to go with the VPO male/female ratio but it seems underway and it will take time. What did surprise me was the rather low male/female ratio in the much more recently established orchestra the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar when I saw them under Dudamel in September at Berlin.

[Richard Tarleton]

I'm pressing the red button but nothing's happening - what channel should your set be tuned to when you press the red btton? I've tried 0103 (Radio 3 on my Sky box) and BBC2.....

[Petrushka]

I'm pressing the red button but nothing's happening - what channel should your set be tuned to when you press the red btton? I've tried 0103 (Radio 3 on my Sky box) and BBC2.....

Channel 601, Richard.