Barenboim's program for Neujahrskonzert

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:55 am

Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker

Dirigent: Daniel Barenboim

Joh. Strauß: Ouvertüre zu "Eine Nacht in Venedig" (Berliner Fassung);
Märchen aus dem Orient, Walzer;
Annen-Polka; Schnellpost-Polka;
Rosen aus dem Süden;
Freikugeln;
Ouvertüre zu "Der Zigeunerbaron";
Einzugsmarsch aus "Der Zigeunerbaron";
Schatz-Walzer
Jos. Hellmesberger: Valse espagnole
Joh. Strauß (Vater): Zampa Galopp
Joh. Strauß: Alexandrinen-Polka; Unter Donner und Blitz
Jos. Strauß: Sphärenklänge
Joh. Strauß: Éljen a Magyár!
Jos. Haydn: 4. Satz aus der Symphonie fis-Moll, Hob. I/45,
Abschiedssymphonie"
Übertragung aus dem Großen Musikvereinssaal in Wien).

Präsentation: Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz[/color][/size]

Post by **Lance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:56 am

No "guests" for this concert, eh? Singers, that is.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:32 pm

I will just have to see this one... I mean - Barenboim conducting the Neujahrskonzert?!

Hilarious.

Post by **Lance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:42 pm

I heard Seiji Ozawa conduct Johann Strauss and family. Totally uninteresting. The man was out of his element completely.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:54 pm

Who were you expecting, Lance? The singers, I mean?

Post by **Lance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:03 pm

In a few past New Year's concerts, sometimes guests, such as soprano Kathleen Battle with von Karajan on the podium, have appeared. In 1992, pianist Martha Argerich performed Strauss's Berleske with Abbado conducting. It's always grand to have artists of that caliber appearing. One can only imagine the sell-out crowds!

Post by **Lance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:05 pm

Regarding Seiji Ozawa's New Year's concert with the Vienna Philharmonic in 2002, you can hear that on Philips 468.999. It's a recording you shan't soon forget! I would love for you to hear and give me your comments! The spirit of Strauss was forever lost that night.

GK · Post by GK » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:09 pm

Most of these Vienna New Year's concerts are somewhat more varied than the all Strauss family program offered by Barenboim. Why not some Lehar, Kalman, Waldteufel, or Offenbach?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:08 pm

Get the two videos of Carlos Kleiber conducting this event in 1989+1992, I hate J Stauss and Operetta with a vengence but Kleiber the Younger is awesome, and so, so, happy in his work...

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:17 pm

I look forward to this annual tradition.

Post by **Lance** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:31 pm

Yes, I do too, Ralph. I hope one day I can actually attend one of these events. Maybe they need a piano tuner!

I did visit the Bösendorfer ware rooms once when I was there. I almost brought home one of their concert grands!

Ralph wrote:I look forward to this annual tradition.

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:48 pm

I like Barenboim's program and I look forward to not only watching the telecast, but, buying the CD when it comes out.

Post by **Lance** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:12 am

Mel, did you get the OZAWA one I mentioned above? I would love to hear what you think of that.

stenka razin wrote:I like Barenboim's program and I look forward to not only watching the telecast, but, buying the CD when it comes out.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:36 am

Lance wrote:Regarding Seiji Ozawa's New Year's concert with the Vienna Philharmonic in 2002, you can hear that on Philips 468.999. It's a recording you shan't soon forget! I would love for you to hear and give me your comments! The spirit of Strauss was forever lost that night.

I've listened to this disc a number of times and love it. On the Beautiful Blue Danube is simply beautiful.

John

Istvan · Post by **Istvan** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:04 am

Funny you should think that about the Ozawa concert: it's one of the rare recordings of his that I enjoyed; Indeed, I thought it among the best I have heard, along with Carlos Kleiber's and Karajan's. Perhaps Barenboim will be able to transform my negative view of him with this concert.

Post by **Lance** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:22 am

It goes to show that beauty (or entertainment) of music is in the ears of the listener. Perhaps that is how it should be. The reason that I brought up the Ozawa live concert recording is that one day, I heard a commentary on the radio about this very recording where excerpts from Ozawa's recording were immediately compared to other live performances at New Year's concerts - the same music. The results of the comparisons were startling. In listening to Ozawa without the comparisons, probably one would find the electricity of the evening, along with the fine acoustics of the recording, to be acceptable. What was noted on this broadcast, as I recall, was the much slower tempi taken by Ozawa in music that is generally perceived as being bright and happy music. In comparison, Ozawa, the guest conductor of the evening, offered music that was considered less "authoratative," dull, and lackluster. On the other hand, perhaps it could also be me, who has never been a great follower of Ozawa except in a few cases, such as his Mahler Symphony No. 1 on DGG, and in some collaborations.

THEHORN · Post by **THEHORN** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:07 pm

Chalkperson hates Johann Strauss ? How can any one hate such enchanting music ? It beats me.
The only other person who seems to hate his music is Ned Rorem, but he's just so anti-german no wonder.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:12 pm

THEHORN wrote:Chalkperson hates Johann Strauss ? How can any one hate such enchanting music ? It beats me.
The only other person who seems to hate his music is Ned Rorem, but he's just so anti-german no wonder.

I detest it, too. The waltzes, the poklas, the macrhes! Yikes!

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:25 pm

THEHORN wrote:Chalkperson hates Johann Strauss ? How can any one hate such enchanting music ? It beats me.
The only other person who seems to hate his music is Ned Rorem, but he's just so anti-german no wonder.

Strauss just irks the hell out of me, I have a number of Composers who I dislike, and many controversial ones too...i'm trying to reply to my likes and dislikes on another thread but I can't do that again till Thursday...

Post by **Lance** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:26 pm

There was one piece by Johann Strauss that I thought to be incredibly innovative. It was called "The Egyptian March" and Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops recorded it [CD RCA Camden 127] ... the first time I ever heard the piece when it was issued on LP. Lorin Maazel also recorded it [DGG 439.439, book edition w/CD]. Of course, I had to find the Fiedler recording immediately. Give that piece a hearing and you will detect the genius of Johann Strauss, Jr.! Many others have recorded the "Egyptian March," including Hans Knappertsbusch (in a live recording).

alpsman · Post by **alpsman** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:07 pm

Now I think this is a very interesting topic. At first about 25 years ago I hate all that Strausses. But after a while learning something about the culture and history of Vienna and visiting the town and country many times I grow a great sympathy. Now I really adore this whole repertoire( also Lehar and the likes) and i am a great fun of New Year concert.
Lance,
there was never a soloist in this concert except of the one with Karajan in 1987( Kathleen Battle). The other with Abbado and Argerich was from Silvester-concert in Berlin.
As for Ozawa I like quite a lot his Neu Jahre and especially the fantastic Danse Diabolique by Hellmesbergrer jr. Great fun: virtuosity, nice instrumentation. On the contrary i don't like Jansons and Harnoncourt, and i'm not crazy with Mehta and Maazel. I considere Muti the best exponent of these concerts( not regarding Karajan and Kleiber).
And a bet for next year. I think that the concert will conduct by Welser-Most. He will be director of the opera and so will also be in charge of the ceremony. This must be something different. You can hear his Strauss in Cleveland in Carnegie dvd and you will hear a very-very different waltz and polka.

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:19 pm

I enjoy music by the Strauss family. But I cannot take any more Neujahrskonzerte. I mean, it's the same thing, the same works, over and over again. Doesn't anyone here get tired of this stuff?

And Cronkite's saccharine commentary - and those silly dancers.

I wouldn't mind being present; that's a different story. But the televised program is, simply, booooring.

(Why buy the CD? Every one is, virtually, the same concert.)

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:14 pm

Lance wrote:Mel, did you get the OZAWA one I mentioned above? I would love to hear what you think of that.
stenka razin wrote:I like Barenboim's program and I look forward to not only watching the telecast, but, buying the CD when it comes out.

Lance, yes, I have the Ozawa CD and really like it. I will single out the Josef Strauss' 'Aquarellen Waltz' as the highlight of his concert. The program even includes a piece by Hellmesberger. I would give the concert ***

Auntie Lynn · Post by **Auntie Lynn** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:12 am

He needs a coupla more polkas - what's with all the marches, the Anschluss is over...waaaaaaaaaaaay over...

slofstra · Post by **slofstra** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:28 pm

GK wrote:Most of these Vienna New Year's concerts are somewhat more varied than the all Strauss family program offered by Barenboim. Why not some Lehar, Kalman, Waldteufel, or Offenbach?

I thought you said they were more varied.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:43 pm

Auntie Lynn wrote:He needs a coupla more polkas - what's with all the marches, the Anschluss is over...waaaaaaaaaaaay over...

Play Polkas, win Grammy, easy...

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:29 am

Lance wrote:It goes to show that beauty (or entertainment) of music is in the ears of the listener. Perhaps that is how it should be. The reason that I brought up the Ozawa live concert recording is that one day, I heard a commentary on the radio about this very recording where excerpts from Ozawa's recording were immediately compared to other live performances at New Year's concerts - the same music. The results of the comparisons were startling. In listening to Ozawa without the comparisons, probably one would find the electricity of the evening, along with the fine acoustics of the recording, to be acceptable. What was noted on this broadcast, as I recall, was the much slower tempi taken by Ozawa in music that is generally perceived as being bright and happy music. In comparison, Ozawa, the guest conductor of the evening, offered music that was considered less "authoratative," dull, and lackluster. On the other hand, perhaps it could also be me, who has never been a great follower of Ozawa except in a few cases, such as his Mahler Symphony No. 1 on DGG, and in some collaborations.

Lance:

I tend to agree with you about Ozawa. He's a better accompanist than a leader. His music-making often sounds like he doesn't really care about what he's doing. The worst Mahler VIII I have is by him. Even his Oedipus Rex telecast was bland.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:04 pm

maestrob wrote:I tend to agree with you about Ozawa. He's a better accompanist than a leader. His music-making often sounds like he doesn't really care about what he's doing. The worst Mahler VIII I have is by him. Even his Oedipus Rex telecast was bland.

Give me Gilbert Kaplan anyday...

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:12 pm

Chalkperson wrote:Give me Gilbert Kaplan anyday...

Ha! Love it....

Where's the Post of the Day committee when you need them?

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:21 pm

Anyone seen the concert?

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:36 pm

Sylph wrote:Anyone seen the concert?

Yes I did Sylph, I sat through it this morning with my Family and we all enjoyed it too.

Mango · Post by **Mango** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:51 am

Sylph wrote:
THEHORN wrote:Chalkperson hates Johann Strauss ? How can any one hate such enchanting music ? It beats me.
The only other person who seems to hate his music is Ned Rorem, but he's just so anti-german no wonder.

I detest it, too. The waltzes, the poklas, the macrhes! Yikes!

How can anyone hate the Strauss family? The programme was a million times better than all the Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms put together. At least that's the probable opinion of 99% of the people who watch/listen to this annual event on their tv/radios. It is not designed for classical music buffs but is obviously classical music for the masses, a sort of elevator music with a zing for New Year's day at home.

As such it's hardly worth getting one's knickers in a twist about who the conductor is, or the exact details of which particular waltz, polkas, marches are played. The only bit of it I watched was the last, the Radetsky March. It was nicely chaotic - with Barenboim clowning about and the VPO and audience not quite sure how to interpret his weird directions - but I bet lots of young kiddies at home and several older folk in nursing homes who may have been watching were in their element. My 16 month old niece thought it was fantastic and was marching all round the room in front of the tv screen. She isn't into Schoenberg just yet, but I'm working on it.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:28 am

Mango wrote:
Sylph wrote:
THEHORN wrote:Chalkperson hates Johann Strauss ? How can any one hate such enchanting music ? It beats me.
The only other person who seems to hate his music is Ned Rorem, but he's just so anti-german no wonder.

I detest it, too. The waltzes, the poklas, the macrhes! Yikes!
How can anyone hate the Strauss family? The programme was a million times better than all the Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms put together. At least that's the probable opinion of 99% of the people who watch/listen to this annual event on their tv/radios. It is not designed for classical music buffs but is obviously classical music for the masses, a sort of elevator music with a zing for New Year's day at home.

As such it's hardly worth getting one's knickers in a twist about who the conductor is, or the exact details of which particular waltz, polkas, marches are played. The only bit of it I watched was the last, the Radetsky March. It was nicely chaotic - with Barenboim clowning about and the VPO and audience not quite sure how to interpret his weird directions - but I bet lots of young kiddies at home and several older folk in nursing homes who may have been watching were in their element. My 16 month old niece thought it was fantastic and was marching all round the room in front of the tv screen. She isn't into Schoenberg just yet, but I'm working on it.

Mango, I totally agree with you. Yesterday, my Family sat around the TV and watched it too, they enjoyed it immensely and they are not all Classical Music fans. When she was alive my mother use to watch it and in fact had several of us join her on New Year's Day to watch it too. Yes, it's cheesey, no I wouldn't take it too seriously as a musical event, it is gorgeous though.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:30 am

Mango wrote:How can anyone hate the Strauss family?

No one hates the Strauss family. Who mentioned the family?

Mango wrote:The programme was a million times better than all the Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms put together.

Says who? That's hardly an axiom in my world. It's hardly a statement... And what kind of a nickname is Mango?!

Mango · Post by **Mango** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:56 pm

Sylph wrote:
Mango wrote:How can anyone hate the Strauss family?
No one hates the Strauss family. Who mentioned the family?
Mango wrote:The programme was a million times better than all the Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms put together.
Says who? That's hardly an axiom in my world. It's hardly a statement... And what kind of a nickname is Mango?!

..........................................................................................................................

Thank you for this. Taking each of your comments:

1. The New Year concert programme comprised, inter alia, music by members of the Strauss family. Earlier in this thread there were mentions of the Strauss "family" by a few posters:

GK wrote: "Most of these Vienna New Year's concerts are somewhat more varied than the all Strauss family program offered by Barenboim".

Lance wrote: "I heard Seiji Ozawa conduct Johann Strauss and family. Totally uninteresting ... ";

Febnyc wrote " I enjoy music by the Strauss family. But I cannot take any more Neujahrskonzerte ...";

alpsman wrote: " At first about 25 years ago I hate all that Strausses. But after a while learning something about the culture and history of Vienna and visiting the town and country many times I grow a great sympathy. Now I really adore this whole repertoire( also Lehar and the likes) and i am a great fun of New Year concert.

If you would like further assistance in locating these posts please let me know. I did not quote any of these posters or refer to their comments. However I had read them and thought that enough had been said about the Strauss "family" that I saw no inconsistency in framing my comment accordingly. I trust this clarifies the matter to your satisfaction.

2. Next you quote my second sentence and ask whose opinion this is, and you assert that my sentence is a hardly a statement or an axiom. It is certainly a statement, and I clearly wasn't laying down any axiomatic rules. I do not know whether you may be dyslexic but if you had endeavoured to read my following two sentences you would have seen that I was giving my impression of the likely opinion of those who tend to watch/listen to such broadcasts. I wrote: "At least that's the probable opinion of 99% of the people who watch/listen to this annual event on their tv/radios. It is not designed for classical music buffs but is obviously classical music for the masses, a sort of elevator music with a zing for New Year's day at home." Perhaps you didn't like me pointing this out, and indeed you may possibly have thought that the whole purpose of my post was to point up the vacuity of yet another of your threads.

3. You ask about my nickname. It is one that begins with "M" and ends in "o", just as yours begins with "S" and ends in "h". Like yours, mine is pretty meaningless but there are lots of other meaningless nicknames on this Forum. If my name bothers you perhaps you would care to propose to Management the setting up a name approval committee and possibly seek membership of it yourself. With your degree of tact I'm sure it would be a hugely popular among would-be new members. Never mind that with a bit of luck it may only add a couple more weeks in addition to the delays they already face in joining this Forum.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:14 pm

Good grief.

otterhouse · Post by **otterhouse** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:02 pm

What was the name of the contemporary piece in the break? the "break" video was great!
The inclusion of Haydn's 45th too...
I have uploaded a 1952 version by Karl Munchinger from this movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7DNQIMjYt4

Rolf

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:14 pm

The percussion thing? Bruno Hartl's?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:52 am

Mango wrote:3. You ask about my nickname. It is one that begins with "M" and ends in "o", just as yours begins with "S" and ends in "h". Like yours, mine is pretty meaningless but there are lots of other meaningless nicknames on this Forum.

Only the other day another member of this board and I were discussing your Highly Interesting Screenname, after all, you are the only one of us named after a piece of Exotic Fruit...we have Alcoholic Liquors, Dead Composers, Fast Food from Chicago, a little Mouse from Italy and many who actually use their real names (mine is almost that) but only one piece of Exotic Fruit...

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