Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / 2018 New Year's Concert (Riccardo Muti, Conducting)

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2018-02-16 Pull Date: 2018-04-20 Charts: Classical/Experimental
Week Ending: Apr 22 Mar 18 Mar 4 Feb 25 Feb 18
Airplays: 1 1 1 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Apr 16, 2018: Mixed Up Class
II: An der schönen blauer Danube
4. Feb 23, 2018: Cardinal Importance
Strauss Sr. (J): Wilhelm Tell Galopp, Op. 29b (1:44)
2. Mar 16, 2018: Cardinal Importance
Czibulka: Stephanie-Gavotte, Op. 312 (5:05)
5. Feb 16, 2018: Cardinal Importance
Czibulka: Stephanie-Gavotte, Op. 312 (5:05), Strauss Sr. (J): Wilhelm Tell Galopp, Op. 29b (1:44)
3. Mar 02, 2018: Cardinal Importance
Strauss Sr. (J): Wilhelm Tell Galopp, Op. 29b (1:44)

Album Review
Gary Lemco
Reviewed 2018-02-11
Riccardo Muti leads this year’s jubilant concert, offering an illustrious gathering of waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and marches. Muti’s affinity for the Viennese lilt comes across with lush authenticity, especially in the perennial Tales from the Vienna Woods, the equally hypnotic Roses from the South, and a marvelous novelty, the Myrthenblueten of Johann Strauss II.
The various marches project a direct nobility and pomp requisite to the occasion, opening with Entrance March from Der Zigeunerbaron. Lesser known, the Festmarsch celebrates the wedding of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria and Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma. For an unusual romp, try Johann Strauss Sr.’s William Tell Galopp, which provides the “Lone Ranger” finale of the Rossini overture, amended with 16 new measures. The Johann Strauss II Quadrille on themes from Verdi’s A Masked Ball has a courtly energy and natural Italian buoyancy. The gifted Franz von Suppe gave us his infectious Boccaccio Overture. Alfons Czibulka, a military bandmaster, pays homage to Crown Prince Rudolf in his charming Stephanie-Gavotte. From the talented Josef Strauss, we have a rarity, Wiener Fresken.
Throughout the evening, the marvelous VPO strings, trumpet work, zither, harp, flute, cymbals, and snare drum make the musical effects live in vibrant Technicolor. The crisp attacks in the polkas Leichtes Blut and Eingesendet – the formal end of the concert—literally ricochet with simmering energy. Muti’s first encore, Unter Donner und Blitz, explodes with circus pageantry. He then—accompanied by trembling strings of the Danube waltz – makes the obligatory address to the Viennese, and segues into the eternal On the Beautiful, Blue Danube. The rousing Radetzky March of Johann Strauss, Sr. immediately invites admiring clapping and foot stomping.

Track Listing
1. Cd1. Strauss Jr. (J): Der Zigeunerbaron ? Einzugsmarsch (3:33)   11. Strauss Jr. (J): Geschichten Aus Dem Wienerwald, Walzer, Op. 325 (12:29)
2. Strauss (J): Wiener Fresken, Walzer, Op. 249 (9:15)   12. Strauss Jr. (J): Festmarsch, Op. 452 (4:10)
3. Strauss Jr. (J): Brautschau, Polka Française, Op. 417 (4:24)   13. Strauss Jr. (J): Stadt Und Land, Polka Mazurka, Op. 322 (4:23)
4. Strauss Jr. (J): Leichtes Blut, Polka Schnell, Op. 319 (2:28)   14. Strauss Jr. (J): Un Ballo In Maschera, Quadrille, Op. 272 (5:35)
5. Strauss Sr. (J): Marienwalzer, Op. 212 (8:50)   15. Strauss Jr. (J): Rosen Aus Dem Süden, Walzer, Op. 388 (10:33)
6. Strauss Sr. (J): Wilhelm Tell Galopp, Op. 29b (1:44)   16. Strauss Jr. (J): Eingesendet, Polka Schnell, Op. 240 (2:02)
7. Suppé: Boccaccio ? Ouvertüre (7:36)   17. Strauss Jr. (J): Unter Donner Und Blitz, Polka Schnell, Op. 324 (3:15)
8. Strauss Jr. (J): Myrthenblüten, Walzer, Op. 395 (9:24)   18. New Year's Address (0:34)
9. Czibulka: Stephanie-Gavotte, Op. 312 (5:05)   19. Strauss Jr. (J): An Der Schönen Blauen Donau, Walzer, Op. 314 (11:07)
10. Cd2. Strauss Jr. (J): Freikugeln, Polka Schnell, Op. 326 (2:48)   20. Strauss Sr. (J): Radetzky-Marsch, Op. 228 (3:54)