Vienna New Year Concert 2018
Jan. 2nd, 2018 07:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grondficI wasn't able to livestream my commentary yesterday, so here's a more complete reaction today.
This will be Italian conductor Riccardo Muti's fifth appearance with the Vienna Philharmonic at New Year. His floppy hair-bangs are quite amusing, but he lacks the youthful charisma of last year's sexy Venezuelan guest-conductor.
Petroc Trelawney commentating for the UK as per usual. Shame USA got to Julie Andrews first!
First Half
Entrance March from the Operetta "The Gypsy Baron"
Johann Strauss Jr.
Strauss's marches sound suspiciously like his waltzes, different timings notwithstanding.
Lady flautist again this year - nice to see her again.
Wiener Fresken (Viennese Frescos), Waltz, op. 249
Josef Strauss
Little brother Josef's waltz is somewhat slower and more pensive than Johann's stuff. It's rather lovely - one for established lovers, rather than naughty princesses and their exciting new cavalry officers.
Panorama of the National Library in the Hofburg - full of leather-bound tomes and large world-globes. The ceiling-frescos (which constitute the link to the music) are, as usual in Vienna, a sight to behold.
The couple waltzing would be getting a bit sprightlier now in the second part of the piece.
We note that new Austrian Chancellor, the young (and regrettably-coalitioned) Sebastian Kurz, is present.
Brautschau (Bride Shopping), Polka, op. 417
Johann Strauss, Jr.
I take time to check on the number of ladies in the orchestra - still regrettably few; will report as I spot them. Three violinists and the flautist so far.
Leichtes Blut (Light of Heart), Fast Polka, op. 319
Johann Strauss, Jr.
This was, Petroc tells us, a cheer-up attempt by Strauss after a catastrophic Austrian defeat in battle against the Prussians.
Marienwalzer (Maria Waltz), op. 212
Johann Strauss, sen.
A late work by Strauss senior. Maybe a bit melancholy. Muti is enjoying the little leapy-hiccups in the tune. Distinctly stately, however. One for the dowagers, methinks.
Georgeous shot of the harp-lady as she ripples through the more robust tune-carriers in the orchestra.
William Tell Galop, op. 29b
Johann Strauss, sen.
He's nicked Rossini's famous Lone-Ranger bit (taken at breakneck speed) and then added a few twiddles of his own.
Here ends the first half. We get a tribute to Viennese Modernism (with special reference to Otto Wagner) during the interval.
A young lady checks-out a massive tome in the library tracing Viennese Modernism and Otto Wagner's architectural plans. Then she takes to her bike and becomes our guide to the various buildings and galleries throughout the city that best exemplify the movement.
There's a silly subplot - a lad steps out in front of her bike (BOO!); and then keeps popping up at the various venues as she visits them. Oi! That's called stalking, laddie! Push off and let her show us the stuff.
Fortunately, there are small musical interludes too, as we rush around Vienna and its environs.
First the Postal Savings Bank - much posher than any bank I've seen. There are Otto Wagner's trademark jugendstil female statues on its high frontage. Inside it's a panorama of spiral staircases and (also a Wagner trademark) lots of glass. A trio is playing in the foyer - flute, harp, violin (our flute lady's name is Karin Bonelli btw)
Next, Karlplatz U-Bahn station pavilion, covered in wrought iron-work and gold trimmings. A flute trio is playing (including Karin again).
We get a quick montage of various bits of the Vienna overground which Wagner planned. All his ironwork is highly decorated with roundels, swags and faces with foliage. The Stadtpark U-Bahn entrance is also his. (Our guide-lady sees the stalker on a passing train here).
Now we see various residential buildings and blocks of flat that Wagner designed. They all look like palaces from the outside.
And - the heavenly Kirche am Steinhof, which we visited last Easter. The frontage is covered in jugendstil angels. Our guide (unlike us last year) can actually go inside - where a French horn quartet is playing. Kolomon Moser did the stained glass windows - processions of saints and angels, like Burne Jones-plus. It's riches-piled-on-riches - to excess, really and yet one is lost in the glory of it all. One final aerial shot whisks us away.
The former Imperial and Royal Bank building houses a string quintet this time. It's more restrained than the sumptuous Kirche, but the dome, pillars and lines are the same.
On to the Belvedere Museum to look at some Modernist artists. The tedious stalker precedes us into the galleries. Klimt is given plenty of air-time (it's his anniversary this year, as well as Schiele's and Wagner himself).
Karin appears as we rush past a Wagner club-house; and then on the Schemerl Bridge, an accordionist and string quartet entertain us.
The tedious subplot comes to a head at the Leopold Museum, where they both go and ogle Egon Schiele's paintings, and then Kolomon Moser's furniture. As night falls, they sit together by the ornamental pond outside the museum. Awwwwwwww ...
Second Half
Overture to "Boccaccio"
Franz von Suppé
We note Austrian President van der Bellen in the gallery as the 2nd half get underway. An overture to another forgotten opera - this time by a composer from Dalmatia (now in Croatia, but then a part of the unbiquitous Austro-Hungarian Empire).
This has a bit of everything - melancholia, spright, military, swing, and a few rattley
kettledrums.
Myrthenblüten (Myrtle Blossoms), Waltz, op. 395
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Written for the wedding of Crown Prince Rudolph (yeah - Him!) with Princess Stephanie. No hint here of all the crap he was going to be putting her through in later years! Just a sweet, delicate, pensive little piece, full of harmony and gentle rhythms.
We're treated to a wander round the porcelain museum, with lots of exquisite (if over-decorated) figurines and vases. Also a quick run-down on how to make them. (Vienna sure gets its money's worth in tourist-adverts out of these occasions!)
Stephanie Gavotte, op. 312
Alphons Czibulka
The ballet is waiting at Wagner's station pavilion at Hietzing to entertain us, dancing to this number. Blimey! We never saw any of THIS whilst going through the station to the nearby Zoo.
Gorgeous teal costumes! We wants one, preciouss.
Lovely pas deux.
Freikugeln (Magic Bullets), Fast Polka, op. 326
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Yes, a VERY fast polka, with lots of shot-style drum-beats. Written for 10,000 marksmen of a shooting contest.
Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz, op. 325
Johann Strauss, Jr.
The zither solo will performed by Barbara Laister-Ebner, we are told, as the zither is placed on a table.
This is one of Strauss's greatest hits. We get a panorama of the Woods (now mainly under vine plants); and then of the Sissi Kapelle, Sievering. Kartehaus Mauerbach. Stift Heiligenkreuz - near where Maria Vetsera is buried.
The zither starts very slowly, and slowly begins to pick up speed. Mind - the orchestra crashes in on it as the main theme begins. Nice bit of harp again. Then mainly orchestra, until Barbara picks up the theme solo again just before the climax.
Only 6 women today (including Barbara), Petroc tells us. There were 10 last year; and even Petroc makes a slightly snide comment about 'going backwards'.
Fest-Marsch (Festival March), op. 452
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Wedding march, written for Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria,
Mercifully short.
Stadt und Land (Town and Country), Polka Mazurka, op. 322
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Written when he'd got rich and purchased a villa in Hietzing (which hardly counts as 'country' nowadays).
Rather a slow polka. Perhaps the Mazurka bit hangs on its tail and makes it drag.
Un ballo in maschera (Masked Ball), Quadrille, op. 272
Johann Strauss Jnr.
He's nicked some of this off Verdi's opera and quadrille it a bit. These composers didn't worry too much about copyright, did they? Maybe it counts as Verdi-fanmusik.
Rosen aus dem Süden (Roses from the South), Waltz, op. 388
Johann Strauss Jnr.
To Schloss Eckartsau, with the ballet dancers. Gorgeous summer's day, and the dancers wear the bright pinks, reds, apricots and oranges of the roses round the pavilion where they dance.
NOO! The young man snatches the girl's book and throws it away in favour of dalliance. Very pretty; but might count as assault in these days. And now there's a stylised fight between two of the lads for one of the girls. This isn't 1958, y'know!
Even so, I'm seduced by their charm, and the soothing music.
Eingesendet (Letters to the Editor), Fast Polka, op. 240
Josef Strauss
VERY fast courier-service, this must be!
That's it for the programmed bit; but of course, THERE WILL BE MORE ...
Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning Polka schnell)
Johann Strauss Jnr.
BIG role for the drums and cymbals in this.
An der Schönen blauen Donnau (The Blue Danube)
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Ho hum, ho hum. The orchestra wish us Happy New Year in chorus before they start.
There's a Danube panorama as they play. We're rushing to identify the places we know. Hurrah - Dürnstein in the snow. Then Stift Gottweig and Melk Abbey.
Everyone takes their bow, but we know there's still ......
Radetzky-Marsch
Johann Strauss Snr.
Yeah yeah, here we go with the audience clapping along to the beat, Maestro Muti conducting them very strictly to vary the volume (shades of Land of Hope and Glory at the Proms).
And, as the audience rises to its feet, Petroc ushers us hastily out for another year.
This will be Italian conductor Riccardo Muti's fifth appearance with the Vienna Philharmonic at New Year. His floppy hair-bangs are quite amusing, but he lacks the youthful charisma of last year's sexy Venezuelan guest-conductor.
Petroc Trelawney commentating for the UK as per usual. Shame USA got to Julie Andrews first!
First Half
Entrance March from the Operetta "The Gypsy Baron"
Johann Strauss Jr.
Strauss's marches sound suspiciously like his waltzes, different timings notwithstanding.
Lady flautist again this year - nice to see her again.
Wiener Fresken (Viennese Frescos), Waltz, op. 249
Josef Strauss
Little brother Josef's waltz is somewhat slower and more pensive than Johann's stuff. It's rather lovely - one for established lovers, rather than naughty princesses and their exciting new cavalry officers.
Panorama of the National Library in the Hofburg - full of leather-bound tomes and large world-globes. The ceiling-frescos (which constitute the link to the music) are, as usual in Vienna, a sight to behold.
The couple waltzing would be getting a bit sprightlier now in the second part of the piece.
We note that new Austrian Chancellor, the young (and regrettably-coalitioned) Sebastian Kurz, is present.
Brautschau (Bride Shopping), Polka, op. 417
Johann Strauss, Jr.
I take time to check on the number of ladies in the orchestra - still regrettably few; will report as I spot them. Three violinists and the flautist so far.
Leichtes Blut (Light of Heart), Fast Polka, op. 319
Johann Strauss, Jr.
This was, Petroc tells us, a cheer-up attempt by Strauss after a catastrophic Austrian defeat in battle against the Prussians.
Marienwalzer (Maria Waltz), op. 212
Johann Strauss, sen.
A late work by Strauss senior. Maybe a bit melancholy. Muti is enjoying the little leapy-hiccups in the tune. Distinctly stately, however. One for the dowagers, methinks.
Georgeous shot of the harp-lady as she ripples through the more robust tune-carriers in the orchestra.
William Tell Galop, op. 29b
Johann Strauss, sen.
He's nicked Rossini's famous Lone-Ranger bit (taken at breakneck speed) and then added a few twiddles of his own.
Here ends the first half. We get a tribute to Viennese Modernism (with special reference to Otto Wagner) during the interval.
A young lady checks-out a massive tome in the library tracing Viennese Modernism and Otto Wagner's architectural plans. Then she takes to her bike and becomes our guide to the various buildings and galleries throughout the city that best exemplify the movement.
There's a silly subplot - a lad steps out in front of her bike (BOO!); and then keeps popping up at the various venues as she visits them. Oi! That's called stalking, laddie! Push off and let her show us the stuff.
Fortunately, there are small musical interludes too, as we rush around Vienna and its environs.
First the Postal Savings Bank - much posher than any bank I've seen. There are Otto Wagner's trademark jugendstil female statues on its high frontage. Inside it's a panorama of spiral staircases and (also a Wagner trademark) lots of glass. A trio is playing in the foyer - flute, harp, violin (our flute lady's name is Karin Bonelli btw)
Next, Karlplatz U-Bahn station pavilion, covered in wrought iron-work and gold trimmings. A flute trio is playing (including Karin again).
We get a quick montage of various bits of the Vienna overground which Wagner planned. All his ironwork is highly decorated with roundels, swags and faces with foliage. The Stadtpark U-Bahn entrance is also his. (Our guide-lady sees the stalker on a passing train here).
Now we see various residential buildings and blocks of flat that Wagner designed. They all look like palaces from the outside.
And - the heavenly Kirche am Steinhof, which we visited last Easter. The frontage is covered in jugendstil angels. Our guide (unlike us last year) can actually go inside - where a French horn quartet is playing. Kolomon Moser did the stained glass windows - processions of saints and angels, like Burne Jones-plus. It's riches-piled-on-riches - to excess, really and yet one is lost in the glory of it all. One final aerial shot whisks us away.
The former Imperial and Royal Bank building houses a string quintet this time. It's more restrained than the sumptuous Kirche, but the dome, pillars and lines are the same.
On to the Belvedere Museum to look at some Modernist artists. The tedious stalker precedes us into the galleries. Klimt is given plenty of air-time (it's his anniversary this year, as well as Schiele's and Wagner himself).
Karin appears as we rush past a Wagner club-house; and then on the Schemerl Bridge, an accordionist and string quartet entertain us.
The tedious subplot comes to a head at the Leopold Museum, where they both go and ogle Egon Schiele's paintings, and then Kolomon Moser's furniture. As night falls, they sit together by the ornamental pond outside the museum. Awwwwwwww ...
Second Half
Overture to "Boccaccio"
Franz von Suppé
We note Austrian President van der Bellen in the gallery as the 2nd half get underway. An overture to another forgotten opera - this time by a composer from Dalmatia (now in Croatia, but then a part of the unbiquitous Austro-Hungarian Empire).
This has a bit of everything - melancholia, spright, military, swing, and a few rattley
kettledrums.
Myrthenblüten (Myrtle Blossoms), Waltz, op. 395
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Written for the wedding of Crown Prince Rudolph (yeah - Him!) with Princess Stephanie. No hint here of all the crap he was going to be putting her through in later years! Just a sweet, delicate, pensive little piece, full of harmony and gentle rhythms.
We're treated to a wander round the porcelain museum, with lots of exquisite (if over-decorated) figurines and vases. Also a quick run-down on how to make them. (Vienna sure gets its money's worth in tourist-adverts out of these occasions!)
Stephanie Gavotte, op. 312
Alphons Czibulka
The ballet is waiting at Wagner's station pavilion at Hietzing to entertain us, dancing to this number. Blimey! We never saw any of THIS whilst going through the station to the nearby Zoo.
Gorgeous teal costumes! We wants one, preciouss.
Lovely pas deux.
Freikugeln (Magic Bullets), Fast Polka, op. 326
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Yes, a VERY fast polka, with lots of shot-style drum-beats. Written for 10,000 marksmen of a shooting contest.
Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz, op. 325
Johann Strauss, Jr.
The zither solo will performed by Barbara Laister-Ebner, we are told, as the zither is placed on a table.
This is one of Strauss's greatest hits. We get a panorama of the Woods (now mainly under vine plants); and then of the Sissi Kapelle, Sievering. Kartehaus Mauerbach. Stift Heiligenkreuz - near where Maria Vetsera is buried.
The zither starts very slowly, and slowly begins to pick up speed. Mind - the orchestra crashes in on it as the main theme begins. Nice bit of harp again. Then mainly orchestra, until Barbara picks up the theme solo again just before the climax.
Only 6 women today (including Barbara), Petroc tells us. There were 10 last year; and even Petroc makes a slightly snide comment about 'going backwards'.
Fest-Marsch (Festival March), op. 452
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Wedding march, written for Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria,
Mercifully short.
Stadt und Land (Town and Country), Polka Mazurka, op. 322
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Written when he'd got rich and purchased a villa in Hietzing (which hardly counts as 'country' nowadays).
Rather a slow polka. Perhaps the Mazurka bit hangs on its tail and makes it drag.
Un ballo in maschera (Masked Ball), Quadrille, op. 272
Johann Strauss Jnr.
He's nicked some of this off Verdi's opera and quadrille it a bit. These composers didn't worry too much about copyright, did they? Maybe it counts as Verdi-fanmusik.
Rosen aus dem Süden (Roses from the South), Waltz, op. 388
Johann Strauss Jnr.
To Schloss Eckartsau, with the ballet dancers. Gorgeous summer's day, and the dancers wear the bright pinks, reds, apricots and oranges of the roses round the pavilion where they dance.
NOO! The young man snatches the girl's book and throws it away in favour of dalliance. Very pretty; but might count as assault in these days. And now there's a stylised fight between two of the lads for one of the girls. This isn't 1958, y'know!
Even so, I'm seduced by their charm, and the soothing music.
Eingesendet (Letters to the Editor), Fast Polka, op. 240
Josef Strauss
VERY fast courier-service, this must be!
That's it for the programmed bit; but of course, THERE WILL BE MORE ...
Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning Polka schnell)
Johann Strauss Jnr.
BIG role for the drums and cymbals in this.
An der Schönen blauen Donnau (The Blue Danube)
Johann Strauss Jnr.
Ho hum, ho hum. The orchestra wish us Happy New Year in chorus before they start.
There's a Danube panorama as they play. We're rushing to identify the places we know. Hurrah - Dürnstein in the snow. Then Stift Gottweig and Melk Abbey.
Everyone takes their bow, but we know there's still ......
Radetzky-Marsch
Johann Strauss Snr.
Yeah yeah, here we go with the audience clapping along to the beat, Maestro Muti conducting them very strictly to vary the volume (shades of Land of Hope and Glory at the Proms).
And, as the audience rises to its feet, Petroc ushers us hastily out for another year.
