I’m going to sit on the fence (uncomfortable) until Sony Classical issues this celebrated concert, first of all digitally, very soon, and then in various formats, slightly less soon, Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s debut conducting of this event with world-wide appeal. He conducted from memory (perhaps tricky to remember the running order), with obvious enjoyment, a smile and a sway, but it took until the Fledermaus confection to really engage this listener. Suppè Overtures are always welcome, and on the distaff side, the Josephine Weinlich was a winner, the Florence Price was not. If proof were needed that Josef was as great a Waltz composer as Johann II, here it was, although JII’s Roses from the South is certainly right up there. Whether the Wiener Philharmoniker (Rainer Honeck, concertmaster) was quite itself, I am not sure, if vocally virile in the Egyptian March singalong, and another find was a Circus Polka composed before Stravinsky’s. A good speech from Yannick, who then dealt one of the better Blue Danube‘s, yet the Radetzky March was visually distracting from N-S. This date next year, it’s Tugan Sokhiev.
Johann Strauss Ouverture to Indigo and the Forty Thieves (Indigo und die vierzig Räuber)
Carl Michael Ziehrer Danube Legends (Donausagen). Waltz, op. 446
Joseph Lanner Malapou-Galoppe. op. 148 Nr. 1
Eduard Strauss Brausteufelchen. Fast Polka, op. 154
Johann Strauss Quadrille from The Bat (Fledermaus-Quadrille). op. 363
Johann Strauss Sr. Carnival in Paris (Der Karneval in Paris). Galop, op. 100
INTERVAL
Franz von Suppè Overture to the operetta The Beautiful Galatea (Die schöne Galathée)
Josephine Weinlich Siren Songs (Sirenen Lieder). Polka mazur, op. 13
Josef Strauss Woman’s Dignity (Frauenwürde). Waltz, op. 277
Johann Strauss Diplomat’s Polka (Diplomaten-Polka). Polka française, Op. 448
Florence Price Rainbow Waltz.
Hans Christian Lumbye Københavns Jernbane-Damp-Galop. (Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop)
Johann Strauss Roses from the South (Rosen aus dem Süden). Waltz, op. 388
Johann Strauss Egyptian March (Egyptischer Marsch). op. 335
Josef Strauss Palms of Peace (Friedenspalmen). Waltz, op. 207
Encores
Philipp Fahrbach Circus (Zirkus). Fast Polka, op. 110
Johann Strauss The Beautiful Blue Danube (An der schönen blauen Donau). Waltz, op. 314
Johann Strauss Sr. Radetzky-March. op. 228
I disagree totally with this critique. Having watched this concert for years this was one of the very best I have ever seen with a varied and uplifting programme that not only had the audience on their feet at the end but wreathed in smiles and cheering!
The orchestra clearly also enjoyed the whole event and it made a very refreshing change from tge last few years when things have become very conservative, stodgy and frankly at times boring!
This us meant to be a celebration, not a highbrow snobby affair, and this year certainly was a celebration and I for one, felt very uplifted
I agree with this comment too. This year’s concert was wonderful, full of the joy of music and of life. A delightful experience. Everything felt fresh and new. Yannick Nézet Séguin brought new life to the concert and his speech was just right in its tone and content, rather like the concert as a whole.
No match for Muti last year, but no one will ever be. Leaden , heavy conducting. No lilt. All about Seigun,not the music. Might a British conductor ever be engaged? Sir Mark Elder for instance or a lady. Anne Marie Helsing is wonderful
I did not like the conducting
yes…I have seen the last 52 concerts and this reminded me of the great Pretre concerts.
The admirable Pretre is a good reference, but whereas Pretre was effervescent and stylish on behalf of the music, N-S was his own publicity machine, and a circus ringmaster, neither appropriate.
Totally agree, after watching for over 50 years and trying without success to get tickets, it was a pleasure to watch today’s performance with much pleasure.
I agree with the above commentator. This was a wonderfully uplifting experience, definitely the best one in years, totally captivating in music and atmosphere. Bravo.
The best I have heard. Sony different composers and instrumentalists playing in different places. A breath of fresh air
Joyful to hear and to watch the musicians, audience and conductor.
Maybe a bit of sparkle missing from the orchestra, yes, but given the tv sound who knows, and it was still an evening of pure joie de vivre. The ballet was really excellent. Yannick’s passion is heartfelt, his music choices were thoughtful & his speech was deeply moving. With a rousing finale that left the audience charmed and happy, just a pleasure..
The orchestra were clearly bored and inattentive. Contrast this to the sheer love and respect that they showed for Muti last year. The respect is mutual. Muti has often said how much he learned from them. This great musician does not need to draw attention to himself with silly gimmicks. I also remember how much a frail Karajan drew from the orchestra in 1987 wiyh minimal gestures.These great conductors serve or served the music not themselves. I also witnessed Muti rehearse the Philharmonia in March. The warmth and respect was obvious to everyone. Yesterday the VPO were wisely taking no notice of the charlatan in front of them yesterday. That’s why their playing lacked any lift or sparkle
The entire performance was magnificent !!!
YNS thank you ~
It seems that most correspondents here enjoyed this concert. There is a deeper side to this music, especially in the Waltzes, that they, and YNS, disregarded. I agree with Mr Holland that Muti is unrivalled, and Anderson’s considered opinion squares with mine; I love this music and know that it is not just some vacuous medium for idle pleasure. I suspect the Vienna Philharmonic wouldn’t disagree; yesterday there were times when the musicians looked and sounded dispirited.
I don’t agree with Mr. Pritchatd’ s critique.The concert of January 1rst, 2026 was wonderful and joyful. This concert is supposed to be a celebration, and this was a beautiful one! Thank you YNS!
Wonderful to see the joie de vivre which YNS brought to the program, and it was infectious. The orchestra members appeared to enjoy themselves, and the audience in the hall was obviously absolutely delighted. A ray of sunshine and hope in a time of much darkness.
Silver painted finger nails should never be anywhere near a tradition so sacrosanct as the New Year concert. The program was disappointing and watching the musicians one could tell not all were impressed with him or whatever pronouns he/they/ it uses. Hopefully by 2027 the organisers senses will have been restored.
I have seen Mr. Nézet-Séguin twice in Philadelphia and thought that he was more interested in himself and pushing an agenda rather than celebrating the music and the musicians. Here too, he did the same. I was disappointed in this year’s concert and am trying to erase it from memory, which fortunately is easily done.
You have got him 100%. Tugan Sokhiev who has got the job next year is just as bad. His antics are false and theatrical and he pulls the music about mercilessly to draw attention to himself away from the music. Hopefully in 2028 they will invite Muti back to bring integrity and dignity once more to this event and to let this wonderful music speak again as he always has done. The Lagoon waltz last year was meltingly beautiful and heartfelt with no exaggeration orposturing, just greatness. Muti gives himself heart and soul to the composer serving them selflessly as he did from the very beginning of his career that I was privileged to witness
Even I wouldn’t indulge finger nails like that. YNS got it wrong.
I look forward with great anticipation to this concert every year. I have seen about 30 of them over the years and own about a dozen of my favorite performances on cd. This year’s concert was the the only concert I have not enjoyed. I did not like the selections Yannick Nézet-Séguin chose. His conducting was self-centered and did not connect with the musicians. The musicians seemed bored and appeared to hardly to pay any attention to him.
All in all I hope they never invite Mr. Nézet-Séguin back to conduct such a prestigious event, though I sincerely doubt they will.
Totally agree. Sequin only used the music and for that matter the occasion to draw attention to himself. My memories of this concert go back to the great Willi Boskovsky who had this music in his blood. There have been other great musicians too. I remember a frail Karajan bringing a truly spiritual quality to this music. Marvellous, Mehta Kleiber and Ozawa too brought their own distinction to this music, but Muti is unsurpassed. A selfless musician of total integrity who lives to serve the composer only and whose mastery is unsurpassed. Sokhiev I fear will be a great disappointment. He massacred Rachmaninov Symphony 2 in London last year pulling it out of shape and distorting it to draw attention to his silly antics on the podium. The only one who can restore true beauty and integrity to this event is Muti.
After hearing the travesty Mr. Nézet-Séguin made of the Blue Danube, I had to listen to a previous year to flush the perfromance from my mind. I grabbed Ozawa’s 2002 concert. What a joy in comparison! Your comments on Muti, Kleiber, and Karajan are spot on! If Muti still has the energy at 84, it would be wonderful to see him conduct this concert again.
David, you are so right.
David, please try this Blue Danube.
https://www.colinscolumn.com/karl-bohm-conducts-johann-strauss-iis-blue-danube-waltz-vienna-philharmonic-in-tokyo-1975/
How much is Riccardo Muti paying for your hagiographic posts? I like him in many things and have heard him a lot but he isn’t great at everything. Nobody is. I concur that his New Year’s concerts have been excellent but do not believe for a minute that all the players love him, I’ve talked to some of them outside the Carnegie Hall stage door…….
I agree.
Glad I am not alone in my opinion of Seguin. Muti s powers are undimmed at 84. He commands respect because of his total integrity. This was immediately recognised by Karajan who suggested him as the man to raise a struggling New Philharmonia to its former glory which he did. The comparison with Pretre was pertinent . A true musician. YNS is a shallow showman only concerned with himself. I am so glad that others have seen through him too.