Dear music lovers, hello to everyone. As we approach the cold winter days and the new year step by step, I wanted to tell you about the “Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year Concert”, one of the most important rituals in the history of classical music.
This musical feast has been held in Vienna, which is one of the great cities with its historical structure and musical history, for many years with special decorations, repertoire, and hard-to-reach tickets. First of all, let’s take a look at this special orchestra, which is named by the city and consists of valuable musicians.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1842 by composer Carl Otto Nicolai. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was formed when the artists of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra, which planned to perform mostly the symphonic works of Beethoven and Mozart, decided to present a philharmonic concert series outside the opera. It is a completely independent orchestra that takes its decisions with the votes of its members.
The orchestra does not have a regular conductor since 1933. Each concert features world-renowned guest conductors. Becoming more passive with Nicolai’s departure from Vienna in 1847, the orchestra initiated concert subscriptions and started to regularly perform when Carl Eckert joined the orchestra as a conductor in 1860.
The orchestra’s traditional New Year Concerts are very famous both musically and visually. In these concerts, mainly the works of composers from the Strauss family are performed. The last piece in the concert is always the Radetzky March, which was composed by Johann Strauss in dedication to Josef Wenzel Radetzky von Radetz. Ensuring the impassioned participation of the audience, the conductors return to the audience and let them tap out the rhythm with commands to provide their participation in certain parts. And the concert becomes interactive, creating an even more memorable moment.
Wiener Musikverein (Vienna Music Association) is a concert hall, also known by its short name Musikverein, in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in the district of Innere Stadk. This hall is also considered the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. With its great acoustics, the “Great Hall” (Großer Saal) is among the best concert halls in the world. The master plan of the building was inspired by the Greek temple, and it was designed in the Neoclassical style as a concert hall and a smaller chamber music hall by the architect Theophil Hansen. In 1870, Emperor Franz Joseph I laid the cornerstones of the musical association, and since then, the Golden Hall of the Musikverein has been recognized by music lovers all around the world. This is not only because the annual New Year concert with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra held here is broadcast worldwide, but also because it is the permanent home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Musikverein Wien, Goldener Saal Orchestra’s new year concert repertoire usually includes the following works. If you would like to turn your day and moment into a music feast by bringing these magnificent melodies to your ears, here are some suggestions:
Johann Strauss II -The Blue Danube, Op.314
Johann Strauss II -Vienna Blood – Waltz Op. 354
Johann Strauss II -Emperor Waltz Op. 437
Johann Strauss I – Radetzky March, Op.228
Johann Strauss II – Champagne Polka Op.211
Johann Strauss II- Kaiser Waltz Op. 437
