The 2025 New Year's Concerts will usher in the new year through grand musical traditions, offering audiences performances from renowned orchestras led by distinguished conductors.
The Wiener Philharmoniker, one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras, will perform under the direction of the acclaimed Riccardo Muti for his sixth consecutive New Year's Concert. At the age of 83, Muti continues to inspire with his masterful conducting, presenting music primarily from the Strauss family, complemented by works from contemporaries.
This year's concert, taking place at the prestigious Musikverein in Vienna, marks another historic moment as it features the first-ever female composer represented at the event. Constanze Geiger’s Ferdinandus Waltz will grace the program—a significant milestone highlighting the growing inclusion of women in the classical music scene.
Margriet Vroomans will be providing commentary live during the broadcast, which will start at 11:00 AM on January 1. Viewers can also catch this event on various public European networks such as the BBC, VRT, and ARD/ZDF, ensuring the concert reaches audiences far and wide.
Simultaneously, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble will perform its own New Year concert—a tradition since many years—this time under the artistic leadership of trombonist Brandt Attema, who takes the helm from Bart Schneemann. Scheduled for 6:15 PM on the same day and airing on NPO2, this concert promises to showcase the ensemble's versatility across genres and styles.
The ensemble will present special guests this year, including Dutch-Kurdish singer-songwriter Naaz, Mongolian throat singer Enkhjargal Dandarvaanchig, and Dutch-Surinamese jazz diva Denise Jannah. Audience members can look forward to performances by winners from the composition contest 'Op weg naar het Nieuwjaarsconcert,' ensuring fresh talent is celebrated alongside established artists.
While the NOS usually switches coverage for ski jumping on New Year’s Day, this year they have opted to focus on the NK Marathonschaatsen, reflecting the changing interests among Dutch viewers. The marathon skating championships will begin broadcasting from 2:00 PM, featuring women's events first, followed by the men's at 3:25 PM, with notable commentators providing live insights.
The cultural significance of these concerts cannot be overstated; they serve not just as entertainment but as celebrations of art and community, helping audiences across Europe welcome the New Year with elegance and delight. Music, after all, has the power to unite and inspire—a fitting tribute to the essence of this annual celebration.
Viewers eager for the festivities can enjoy the energy, music, and camaraderie these concerts bring, reminding all of the joy and hope inherent to the New Year. Each performance, be it from Vienna or Amsterdam, encapsulates the spirit of the occasion, providing not just entertainment but also reflection on the year past and aspirations for the future.
The interplay of traditional and contemporary, illustrated through various guest artists and composers, showcases the evolution of the New Year’s celebrations, as they continue to adapt and resonate with new generations.
These broadcasts not only mark the onset of 2025 but reaffirm the commitment to preserving musical heritage whilst encouraging innovation—a harmonious blend of past and present.