alfredlexx60 (Soldat Chvéïk de retour)
Wien, 1. Bezirk, Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (società degli amici della musica, sociedad de los amigos de la música, société des amis de la musique, society of the friends of music), Musikvereinsplatz/Canovagasse/Karlsplatz
(for further information please go to the end of page and press the link!)
The history of New Year's Concert
Dr. Clemens Hellberg
Long way of approaching
New Year's Concert 2013 ©
The international popularity of the New Year's Concert gives the impression as if the Strauss reception of the ensemble went back to Johann Strauss I and thus seamlessly to the beginning of the history of the orchestra. In fact, the Philharmonic long ignored this "most Viennese" music that was ever written: Obviously the social advancement they experienced through their Philharmonic concerts them seemed threatened by relationships with the "popular music". This attitude towards the Strauss dynasty changed only gradually. Crucial for rethinking were besides the fact that the members of the unique composer family were enjoying the highest recognition of the great composers such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms, several direct encounters with Johann Strauss II giving the orchestra the opportunity the importance of this music and the whole of Europe compelling personality of its creator to get to know.
Johann Strauss and Vienna Philharmonics
Johann Strauss, son
The first meeting immediately brought a premiere: For the in the Great Hall of the Musikverein held Vienna Opera Ball on 22 April 1873 Strauss composed the waltz "Wiener Blut" and directed it "authentically" with the violin in his hand. On 4 November 1873 brought Strauss works of his father and Josef Lanner and the "Blue Danube Waltz" as part of a gala concert organized by the Chinese World Expo Commission to performance, the next meeting there was at the occasion of a soiree in the Court Opera (11 December 1877), in which Strauss the premiere of his "reminiscences of old and new Vienna" conducted, an unfortunately lost potpourri of topics from own or from compositions of his father. On 14 October 1894, the orchestra took part at the gala concert on the occasion of the fifty-year career anniversary of the master, and Strauss thanked with the presentation of a commemorative medal and a telegram: "For the nonce written warmest thanks to the great artists to the famous Philharmonic for both your masterly performance as well for the manifestation of Your sympathy which has given me great joy... Johann Strauss". The next encounter should have tragic consequences. On May 22, 1899, the composer had at the occasion of a performance of "Die Fledermaus" conducted for the first and only time in the Court Opera. By doing so, he got a cold subsequently leading to that pneumonia of which he died on 3 June in 1899.
The Johann Strauss monument in Vienna
Johann Strauss monument
Even after the death of the "King of Waltz" advanced the Philharmonic not immediately to his convinced interpreters. A turning point began to emerge in 1921: At the occasion of the unveiling of the Johann Strauss monument in Vienna's Stadtpark conducted Arthur Nikisch (1855-1922) the waltz "Artist's Life" "on the Beautiful Blue Danube" as well as "Wine, Women and Song", and the example of the world-famous artist apparently made school. The final breakthrough brought the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the master (25 October 1925): Felix von Weingartner conducted the "Blue Danube Waltz" in the Philharmonic subscription concerts on 17-18 October and conducted on October 25 a concert, exclusively consisting of works of Strauss.
Clemens Krauss
The real Strauss tradition of the Vienna Philharmonic but established that artist, to this day as perhaps the most important apologist of this music considered: Clemens Krauss (1893-1954). From 1929 to 1933 he conducted at the Salzburg Festival every year a Strauss program and thus anticipating the New Year's Concert.
The first New Year's Concert
New Year's Concert with Clemens Krauss
The origin of this concert falls in the darkest period in the history of Austria and the orchestra. In the midst of barbarism, dictatorship and war, in a phase of constant trepidation for the lives of individual members or their relatives, the Philharmonic on 31 December 1939 put an ambivalent accent: The net income of one the Strauss dynasty dedicated extraordinary concert, conducted by Clemens Krauss, was entirely the Nazi fundraising campaign war winter charity (Kriegswinterhilfswerk) dedicated. In 1941 the Philharmonic Academy "Johann Strauss Concert" was organized on January 1, and in the midst of war by many people as "real Viennese festival of joy" understood but also by the Nazi propaganda in the "Greater German Broadcasting" captured. Clemens Krauss was in charge of the newly created institution until the war ended. During the years 1946 and 1947 was Josef Krips (1902-1974) at the conductor's stand, in 1948 returned Krauss after lifting his two-year Dirigierverbotes (prohibition to conduct an orchestra) by the Allies and headed until 1954 seven other New Year's concerts.
25 New Year's Concerts with Willi Boskovsky
Willi Boskovsky
The unexpected death of Krauss on 16 May 1954 created for the Philharmonic major problems in terms of a successor, and it took several orchestra meetings before just before 1 January 1955 it was decided to entrust with the artistic leadership the concertmaster Willi Boskovsky (1909-1991). The choice proved to be a stroke of luck: Twenty-five times, from 1955 to 1979, Boskovsky conducted this concert and formed it so sustainably that his resignation marked the end of an era - in his camp was that old Austria that outside nostalgic dreams only exists in the magic of Strauss music.
A new chapter in the history of New Year's Concert
Lorin Maazel
As Boskovsky in October 1979 had to cancel for health reasons for the New Year's concert in 1980, the Philharmonic took again a fundamental decision: with Lorin Maazel an internationally acknowledged conductor he was elected, who directed the concert until 1986.
After that it was decided the the artistic director had to be changed every year. The first was in 1987 Herbert von Karajan with an unforgettable concert, followed him Claudio Abbado (1988 and 1991), Carlos Kleiber (1989 and 1992), Zubin Mehta (1990, 1995, 1998 , 2007), Riccardo Muti (1993, 1997, 2000 , 2004), Lorin Maazel (1994, 1996, 1999 , 2005), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (2001, 2003), Seiji Ozawa (2002), Mariss Jansons (2006, 2012, 2016), Georges Prêtre ( 2008, 2010 ), Daniel Barenboim (2009, 2014), Franz Welser-Möst (2011, 2013) and 2015 Zubin Mehta. Now I'm telling you a secret, 2017 Gustavo Dudamel!
Wien, 1. Bezirk, Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (società degli amici della musica, sociedad de los amigos de la música, société des amis de la musique, society of the friends of music), Musikvereinsplatz/Canovagasse/Karlsplatz
(for further information please go to the end of page and press the link!)
The history of New Year's Concert
Dr. Clemens Hellberg
Long way of approaching
New Year's Concert 2013 ©
The international popularity of the New Year's Concert gives the impression as if the Strauss reception of the ensemble went back to Johann Strauss I and thus seamlessly to the beginning of the history of the orchestra. In fact, the Philharmonic long ignored this "most Viennese" music that was ever written: Obviously the social advancement they experienced through their Philharmonic concerts them seemed threatened by relationships with the "popular music". This attitude towards the Strauss dynasty changed only gradually. Crucial for rethinking were besides the fact that the members of the unique composer family were enjoying the highest recognition of the great composers such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms, several direct encounters with Johann Strauss II giving the orchestra the opportunity the importance of this music and the whole of Europe compelling personality of its creator to get to know.
Johann Strauss and Vienna Philharmonics
Johann Strauss, son
The first meeting immediately brought a premiere: For the in the Great Hall of the Musikverein held Vienna Opera Ball on 22 April 1873 Strauss composed the waltz "Wiener Blut" and directed it "authentically" with the violin in his hand. On 4 November 1873 brought Strauss works of his father and Josef Lanner and the "Blue Danube Waltz" as part of a gala concert organized by the Chinese World Expo Commission to performance, the next meeting there was at the occasion of a soiree in the Court Opera (11 December 1877), in which Strauss the premiere of his "reminiscences of old and new Vienna" conducted, an unfortunately lost potpourri of topics from own or from compositions of his father. On 14 October 1894, the orchestra took part at the gala concert on the occasion of the fifty-year career anniversary of the master, and Strauss thanked with the presentation of a commemorative medal and a telegram: "For the nonce written warmest thanks to the great artists to the famous Philharmonic for both your masterly performance as well for the manifestation of Your sympathy which has given me great joy... Johann Strauss". The next encounter should have tragic consequences. On May 22, 1899, the composer had at the occasion of a performance of "Die Fledermaus" conducted for the first and only time in the Court Opera. By doing so, he got a cold subsequently leading to that pneumonia of which he died on 3 June in 1899.
The Johann Strauss monument in Vienna
Johann Strauss monument
Even after the death of the "King of Waltz" advanced the Philharmonic not immediately to his convinced interpreters. A turning point began to emerge in 1921: At the occasion of the unveiling of the Johann Strauss monument in Vienna's Stadtpark conducted Arthur Nikisch (1855-1922) the waltz "Artist's Life" "on the Beautiful Blue Danube" as well as "Wine, Women and Song", and the example of the world-famous artist apparently made school. The final breakthrough brought the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the master (25 October 1925): Felix von Weingartner conducted the "Blue Danube Waltz" in the Philharmonic subscription concerts on 17-18 October and conducted on October 25 a concert, exclusively consisting of works of Strauss.
Clemens Krauss
The real Strauss tradition of the Vienna Philharmonic but established that artist, to this day as perhaps the most important apologist of this music considered: Clemens Krauss (1893-1954). From 1929 to 1933 he conducted at the Salzburg Festival every year a Strauss program and thus anticipating the New Year's Concert.
The first New Year's Concert
New Year's Concert with Clemens Krauss
The origin of this concert falls in the darkest period in the history of Austria and the orchestra. In the midst of barbarism, dictatorship and war, in a phase of constant trepidation for the lives of individual members or their relatives, the Philharmonic on 31 December 1939 put an ambivalent accent: The net income of one the Strauss dynasty dedicated extraordinary concert, conducted by Clemens Krauss, was entirely the Nazi fundraising campaign war winter charity (Kriegswinterhilfswerk) dedicated. In 1941 the Philharmonic Academy "Johann Strauss Concert" was organized on January 1, and in the midst of war by many people as "real Viennese festival of joy" understood but also by the Nazi propaganda in the "Greater German Broadcasting" captured. Clemens Krauss was in charge of the newly created institution until the war ended. During the years 1946 and 1947 was Josef Krips (1902-1974) at the conductor's stand, in 1948 returned Krauss after lifting his two-year Dirigierverbotes (prohibition to conduct an orchestra) by the Allies and headed until 1954 seven other New Year's concerts.
25 New Year's Concerts with Willi Boskovsky
Willi Boskovsky
The unexpected death of Krauss on 16 May 1954 created for the Philharmonic major problems in terms of a successor, and it took several orchestra meetings before just before 1 January 1955 it was decided to entrust with the artistic leadership the concertmaster Willi Boskovsky (1909-1991). The choice proved to be a stroke of luck: Twenty-five times, from 1955 to 1979, Boskovsky conducted this concert and formed it so sustainably that his resignation marked the end of an era - in his camp was that old Austria that outside nostalgic dreams only exists in the magic of Strauss music.
A new chapter in the history of New Year's Concert
Lorin Maazel
As Boskovsky in October 1979 had to cancel for health reasons for the New Year's concert in 1980, the Philharmonic took again a fundamental decision: with Lorin Maazel an internationally acknowledged conductor he was elected, who directed the concert until 1986.
After that it was decided the the artistic director had to be changed every year. The first was in 1987 Herbert von Karajan with an unforgettable concert, followed him Claudio Abbado (1988 and 1991), Carlos Kleiber (1989 and 1992), Zubin Mehta (1990, 1995, 1998 , 2007), Riccardo Muti (1993, 1997, 2000 , 2004), Lorin Maazel (1994, 1996, 1999 , 2005), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (2001, 2003), Seiji Ozawa (2002), Mariss Jansons (2006, 2012, 2016), Georges Prêtre ( 2008, 2010 ), Daniel Barenboim (2009, 2014), Franz Welser-Möst (2011, 2013) and 2015 Zubin Mehta. Now I'm telling you a secret, 2017 Gustavo Dudamel!