Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2021

[Alison]

Good well shaped fresh programme I’d say, Pet.

Nice start with the Suppé March. Niko-Polka done by Harnoncourt before I gather.

Enjoyed the three new composers too and no gratuitous drafting in of a centenary composer to halt the flow.
Who are the anniversary composers this year btw?!

I don’t think op 410 has been overdone at New Year given its quality.

Initially underwhelmed by the choice of Muti, perhaps he was the perfect old hand to oversee this one, not an ideal concert for a fresher. Some well judged touches in the big well known pieces to confirm high approval rating. Tender, inward qualities reminiscent of 2004.

Maybe a chance missed to give a second gig to Dudamel, Thielemann or Nelsons next year ahead of DB. Is Ozawa still conducting?

In a nutshell, I won’t be skipping any tracks on the CD when it is shortly released :-)

[Petrushka]

Good well shaped fresh programme I’d say, Pet.

Nice start with the Suppé March. Niko-Polka done by Harnoncourt before I gather.

Enjoyed the three new composers too and no gratuitous drafting in of a centenary composer to halt the flow.
Who are the anniversary composers this year btw?!

I don’t think op 410 has been overdone at New Year given its quality.

Initially underwhelmed by the choice of Muti, perhaps he was the perfect old hand to oversee this one, not an ideal concert for a fresher. Some well judged touches in the big well known pieces to confirm high approval rating. Tender, inward qualities reminiscent of 2004.

Maybe a chance missed to give a second gig to Dudamel, Thielemann or Nelsons next year ahead of DB. Is Ozawa still conducting?

In a nutshell, I won’t be skipping any tracks on the CD when it is shortly released :-)

Excellent summary, Alison! I recorded the concert to my hard drive but think that this is one for the CD and/or DVD collection.

[Prommer]

Any thoughts on today's programme, Alison? As I say above, I think it was a high quality programme, not a duff item in it, and found it thoroughly enjoyable. Given the circumstances we should be glad to have had it at all.

Not fussed about Barenboim next year (the ones he did in 2009 and 2014 were ok) but the orchestra do need to think about the future. I'm still waiting for Manfred Honeck to take it on, or, failing that for a member of the orchestra itself to step up as Boskovsky did in 1955.

Combining your two thoughts somewhat: Rainer Honeck, today's concertmaster? Brother of Manfred, who of course used to play in the VPO...

[Petrushka]

Combining your two thoughts somewhat: Rainer Honeck, today's concertmaster? Brother of Manfred, who of course used to play in the VPO...

That was half in my thoughts without actually having to say it. I think that Rainer H has done a bit of conducting though can't recall where I saw this. When Willi Boskovsky stepped up for the 1955 NYDC, following the death of Clemens Krauss, he was reportedly nervous about doing it and agreed only as long as it was temporary. The concert now is a hallowed tradition and is big business. Bearing that in mind, I'd feel quite sure it could withstand a similar upheaval and flourish.

The simple fact of the matter is, the world is running out of big name conductors and the event will need to have a fresh look before long.

[jonfan]

the event will need to have a fresh look before long.

I very much doubt it. There was a chance yesterday to have the orchestra spread out more comfortably in the hall instead of being so ridiculously squashed, but no. All worth it for Muti’s speech which should be daily forced to the top of our PM’s Inbox.

[oddoneout]

I very much doubt it. There was a chance yesterday to have the orchestra spread out more comfortably in the hall instead of being so ridiculously squashed, but no. All worth it for Muti’s speech which should be daily forced to the top of our PM’s Inbox.

Not just him, but all MPs with extra helpings for those in any way associated with funding decisions!
Is there/will there be a transcript of Muti's speech?

[LHC]

That was half in my thoughts without actually having to say it. I think that Rainer H has done a bit of conducting though can't recall where I saw this. When Willi Boskovsky stepped up for the 1955 NYDC, following the death of Clemens Krauss, he was reportedly nervous about doing it and agreed only as long as it was temporary. The concert now is a hallowed tradition and is big business. Bearing that in mind, I'd feel quite sure it could withstand a similar upheaval and flourish.

The simple fact of the matter is, the world is running out of big name conductors and the event will need to have a fresh look before long.

I think it would be good if they could move away from always having a big name conductor, especially as they are becoming rarer. The Concert has such a high profile anyway, they don't really need to attach a big name to it.

As Philippe Jordan is the new music director of the Wiener Staatsoper, I would expect him to be invited to lead the New Year's Day concert fairly soon. I am also slightly surprised that Gergiev hasn't done this yet (not that I think he would be a good choice); he is certainly a big name conductor, and has conducted the VPO's summer concert on several occasions.

Daniel Harding and Jakub Hrusa are younger conductors who both seem to have a good relationship with the VPO, so might also be possible candidates in future years.

[oddoneout]

I think it would be good if they could move away from always having a big name conductor, especially as they are becoming rarer. The Concert has such a high profile anyway, they don't really need to attach a big name to it..

To what extent does the audience expect to have a big name conductor, and does that have a bearing?
Speaking of high profile, the floral decorations are quite a feature and obviously a big spend item - so why the sad moth-eaten birds perched on them that featured in one of the items? They looked like something borrowed from a pet cat's toybox.

[cloughie]

That was half in my thoughts without actually having to say it. I think that Rainer H has done a bit of conducting though can't recall where I saw this. When Willi Boskovsky stepped up for the 1955 NYDC, following the death of Clemens Krauss, he was reportedly nervous about doing it and agreed only as long as it was temporary. The concert now is a hallowed tradition and is big business. Bearing that in mind, I'd feel quite sure it could withstand a similar upheaval and flourish.

The simple fact of the matter is, the world is running out of big name conductors and the event will need to have a fresh look before long.

I include myself here as we are running out of big names of the ones we know and love and were part of our recorded music collecting and concert attending over the years but maybe others are becoming the new big names.

[LHC]

To what extent does the audience expect to have a big name conductor, and does that have a bearing?
Speaking of high profile, the floral decorations are quite a feature and obviously a big spend item - so why the sad moth-eaten birds perched on them that featured in one of the items? They looked like something borrowed from a pet cat's toybox.

I expect that for a lot of the TV audience, the conductor's name (if they recognise it at all) has little bearing on whether they watch it or not. It may be more important for the subsequent CD and DVD sales, but here again, I imagine its the event itself rather than the name of the conductor, that will drive most sales.

[Prommer]

I thought this year's programme better than usual, though perhaps the inclusion of eg the Emperor Waltz gave it greater body and weight. The playing definitely had a sense of presence and occasion about it - they really cared about it this time. And Muti's speech was perfect.

[Leinster Lass]

I thought this year's programme better than usual, though perhaps the inclusion of eg the Emperor Waltz gave it greater body and weight. The playing definitely had a sense of presence and occasion about it - they really cared about it this time. And Muti's speech was perfect.

Comments posted on the subject of his speech led me to watch it on iPlayer - and, yes, it was perfect!

[Barbirollians]

Comments posted on the subject of his speech led me to watch it on iPlayer - and, yes, it was perfect!

I have always felt spoiled in the late 1980s and few concerts have matched HVk in 1987 , Abbado in 1988 and Carlos Kleiber in 1989 and 1992.

[Barbirollians]

Rave review from RO no less in Gramophone today.

[mikealdren]

A bit late to comment but what struck me was how relaxed and happy the orchestra looked when they are usually so straightlaced. Was this because they are glad to be back playing or the lack of audience or even the effect of Muti. Whatever the reason, I heard it in the playing too.