Mariss Jansons & Vienna Philharmonic Release New Year's Concert Album?

It would seem the fans of the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's concert are in luck as Sony Classical has just announced the scheduled release of their 2016 performance with director Mariss Jansons as an album next week followed by a DVD and Blu-ray release to follow in February. His third New Year's appearance with the famed orchestra is said to contain no less than eight works not previously heard within the framework of a New Year's Concert from Robert Stolz, Carl Michael Ziehrer, Emil Waldteufel as well as various members of the Strauss dynasty.

Sony Classical has just announced that come January 22, fans will be able to buy the Vienna Philharmonic's 2016 New Year's Concert with 73-year-old Latvia born conductor Mariss Jansons.

According to the record company's recent press release, Jansons latest collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic -- having directed the event back in 2006 as well as 2012 -- is unlike any other New Year's concert in the orchestra's recent past:

"In keeping with a long-standing tradition the program is made up of an ingenious mix of works by members of the Strauss dynasty and their contemporaries.

"But on this occasion there are no fewer than eight works not previously heard within the framework of a New Year's Concert, namely, Robert Stolz's March of the United Nations, Carl Michael Ziehrer's waltz Weaner Mad'ln, Emil Waldteufel's waltz Espana, the Ball Scene by Josef Hellmesberger the Elder, two French polkas by Johann Strauss II (Violetta and Sangerlust), the Entr'acte Music from between Acts Two and Three of Furstin Ninetta, also by Johann Strauss II, and a polka by Eduard Strauss, Ausser Rand und Band."

Apparently not wanting their chief conductor to think they appreciate him any less than the Vienna Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra surprised Jansons last Thursday night with an impromptu rendition of "Happy Birthday" to mark his turning 73, in a moment later posted to the orchestra's Facebook page.

The live recording of the 2016 New Year's Concert with The Vienna Philharmonic & Mariss Jansons is already available to download digitally through Amazon.com and ArkivMusic.com and as well as all major digital service providers with the physical CD set for release Friday.