On January 1, 2025, at 12:15 PM, the renowned New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will once again grace the airwaves, captured live from the historic Musikverein hall. For the seventh consecutive time, Italian maestro Riccardo Muti will take the podium, continuing a legacy of celebrated conductors at this iconic event.
This culturally significant concert is not just local to Vienna; it captivates audiences globally, broadcasted across more than 90 countries through numerous television and radio stations. Music fans can expect to enjoy this unique experience with crystal-clear high definition (HD) quality from the heart of Austria’s capital.
The concert will be accompanied by insightful commentary from Nicos Kanellopoulos, producer of the Third Program of ERT, enhancing the audience's appreciation of the works performed. This year, attendees will be treated to 14 musical pieces from the Strauss family, alongside expected encores. Some compositions will be presented for the first time ever at the New Year’s Concert, contributing to the event's allure.
The detailed program includes:
- Johann Strauss I: Freiheits-Marsch, op. 226
- Josef Strauss: Dorfschwalben aus Österreich, Walzer, op. 164
- Johann Strauss II: Demolirer-Polka, Polka française, op. 269
- Johann Strauss II: Lagunen-Walzer, op. 411
- Eduard Strauss: Luftig und duftig, Polka schnell, op. 206
- Johann Strauss II: Introduction from the operetta “Der Zigeunerbaron”
- Johann Strauss II: Accelerationen, Walzer, op. 234
- Josef Hellmesberger (Son): Fidele Brüder, March from the operetta “Das Veilchenmädchen”
- Constanze Geiger: Ferdinandus-Walzer, op. 10
- Johann Strauss II: Entweder-oder! Polka schnell, op. 403
- Josef Strauss: Transactionen, Walzer, op. 184
- Johann Strauss II: Annen-Polka, op. 117
- Johann Strauss II: Tritsch-Tratsch, Polka schnell, op. 214
- Johann Strauss II: Wein, Weib und Gesang, Walzer, op. 333
*First-time performances at the New Year’s Concert
Every year, the hall is adorned with 30,000 flowers from the gardens of the city of Vienna, contributing to the festive atmosphere. With seating for 1,744 guests and 300 standing spots, the concert is always sold out, and only 700 tickets are available for the public. The remainder goes to sponsors and honorary members.
To secure entrance to this sought-after event, fans take part in a lottery system, applying each February, with only the lucky ones making it to the concert ten months later. This year marks the concert’s 182nd year, intertwining its history with the cultural fabric of Austria.
Interestingly, Vienna’s New Year’s Concert dates back to 1838, but it was during the 1940s, amid the chaos of the World War II, when it took the shape we recognize today. The first concert was traditionally organized as morale-boosting entertainment, with operatic selections by the Strauss family. The event has since morphed, honoring its classical roots and becoming a standard of New Year celebrations around the world.
For many, the New Year’s Concert is the first musical appointment of the year, synchronizing the world's audiences with timeless melodies on January 1. It symbolically marks the transition to the new year and is often perceived as delivering hope and positivity.
Viewers from around the globe eagerly await the concert, representing not just music but the blending of tradition, celebration, and community spirit as they usher in the New Year.
During this much-anticipated event, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra continues to remind listeners of the power of music to unite and uplift as they play their way through the enchanting works of the Strauss family.