Golden Hall, Musikverein – A lively march to start with as Riccardo Muti opened his seventh NYD concert (a tally nevertheless behind Clemens Krauss and Willi Boskovsky), then a Waltz with birdsong, and so on, Polkas, an Overture (to The Gypsy Baron on this occasion, splendidly brought off, as were Tritsch-Tratsch, and Wine, Women & Song, the latter with its lengthy introduction that’s not always included), encores, the conductor’s address, and regulars such as Blue Danube and Radetzky; and there were new-found delights from Hellmesberger and – female composer debut at these concerts – Constanze Geiger. We know the formula, but it ain’t broke, so nothing to fix. Sony Classical will release this NYD staple shortly in various formats. Next year? Nothing official as far as I know, save Andris Nelsons has been mentioned… but in fact it’s Yannick.
Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day Concert 2025. Live on BBC Two.
Good news on Yannick next year.
On a sidetrack I can say he is the most perceptive interpreter of Sibelius alive today. We await his last issue of the symphony cycle, hopefully this year soon.
Everything in his music making of Sibelius scores hits a bullseye.