Wiener Philharmoniker Neujahrskonzert

[Petrushka]

I'm sorry to have upset a new member on the Forum but, as Ferney says, there have been one or two just lately who post a deliberately provocative message then retire following the inevitable strong reply. For new members it's like starting a new job in the office: you gauge the temperature first before opening the mouth too loudly.

The OP seemed to me to be deliberately posting a contentious message with the aim of starting a fight and a re-reading of it doesn't change my mind.

Anyway, back to the Vienna Philharmonic. I'm not sure whether the orchestra are concerned about this but I'm worried that the present day VPO is not adequately being represented in recordings. Back catalogue issues aside, all we have of them these days is the New Year's Day concert and the Summer Night concert. They can't continue to trade on their aristocratic legacy alone!

Will the follow the BPO in finally promoting their own label featuring modern recordings of the orchestra?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

By the way - has anybody else noticed the portrait of Johann Strauss the younger on page 136 of next week's Radio Times? It's "advertising" a performance by the CBSO under Andris Nelsons of ... err ... the Symphonia Domestica by Richard Strauss.

[Petrushka]

By the way - has anybody else noticed the portrait of Johann Strauss the younger on page 136 of next week's Radio Times? It's "advertising" a performance by the CBSO under Andris Nelsons of ... err ... the Symphonia Domestica by Richard Strauss.

Yes! Was just about to post on this elsewhere. How embarrassing!

[french frank]

Yes! Was just about to post on this elsewhere. How embarrassing!

Part of the universal obsession with Johann?

[Bryn]

Oh dear. However, the message to which our pet rushka responded was couched somewhat ambiguously. I read it differently to the way Petrushka seems to have. I thought you were suggesting that the Strauss family's music was not by any means 'all that bad', which is true. I also have considerable sympathy for your suggestion that the New Year Concerts are more about tourism promotion than profound musical occasions. I am not a great fan of the music, but Arnie, Alban and Anton seemed very taken with it. Indeed, it is in the versions for Arnie's musical gatherings that I take most pleasure.

Oh, and there was no trolling in Petrushka's response. He appears simply to have misread the intent of your OP.

[Bryn]

...
The OP seemed to me to be deliberately posting a contentious message with the aim of starting a fight and a re-reading of it doesn't change my mind.

Then I suggest you go back and re-read it yet again. Seems to me you totally misread the intent, (possibly the result of a bee in your own bonnet?).

[Stanfordian]

What do you think of this annual musical event from Vienna? Many people (outside Vienna) have complained that it's not very good music played over and over.

Personally, I think it's a tourism and PR exercise from the Wiener Philharmoniker and I don't think it's meant as a 'serious' musical experience. It also functions as a fund-raiser. But did both Strauss & Sohn compose really ALL that terrible music?

Hiya Krystal,

I used to avoid the Neujahrskonzert by the Wiener Philharmoniker. As I became more opened minded and experienced in classic music I began to appeciate it more and now I love the concert. The Neujahrskonzert is one of the premier events of the year in the classsical music world and I greatly look forward to it. The Wiener Philharmoniker is a world class orchestra and the music of the Strauss family is wonderful.

[Serial_Apologist]

Part of the universal obsession with Johann?

I'm reminded of a remark to my late father by some German friends of his who, when asked for their opinions of the music of Richard Strauss, replied, "To us he combined the worst of Richard Wagner and Johann Strauss".

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm reminded of a remark to my late father by some German friends of his who, when asked for their opinions of the music of Richard Strauss, replied, "To us he combined the worst of Richard Wagner and Johann Strauss".

Actually, that's quite perceptive.

[Serial_Apologist]

Actually, that's quite perceptive.

I agree!!!

[greenilex]

Surely others are allowed their patrio-nostalgia too, if we have the Last Night?

[Serial_Apologist]

Surely others are allowed their patrio-nostalgia too, if we have the Last Night?

Is it under threat?