It is one of Vienna's proudest traditions, the New Year's concert with the Vienna Philharmonic, televised all over the world. And the question the Viennese and others all ask as the date nears is, which conductor will be honored by being given this most glittering of gigs this year? Well, as 2013 gives way to 2014, Daniel Barenboim will be leading the waltzes in that musical city. But there are other lovely new year's concerts as well, led by other distinguished maestri.
Here's Classicalite's guide to some of the (other) best!
The Berlin Philharmonic are bypassing Strauss in favour of dance music by Dvořák, Hindemith and Khachaturian conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, plus Prokofiev with Lang Lang at the keys. An interesting take on a traditional concert idea.
More Czech music with the Czech Phil and, coincidentally, Rattle's wife Magdalena Kožená as Jiří Bělohlávek whisks his orchestra through Suk, Dvořák, Martinů, Smetana, Janáček and various other composers.
Back in Germany, Christian Thielemann and the Staatskapelle Dresden offer a little competition to Berlin alongside Renée Fleming and the tenor Klaus Florian Vogt. Both the Leipzig Gewandhaus under Riccardo Chailly and the Munich Philharmonic with Lorin Maazel, meanwhile, opt for Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 for their New Year's Eve concerts.
Vienna comes to Belfast, a little late on January 3 and 4, when music director JoAnn Falletta conducts the Ulster Orchestra, waltzes very much on the menu!
Across the Atlantic, a decidedly quirky and funny New Year's Eve celebration from the New York Philharmonic unites music director Alan Gilbert and comedy piano duo Ingudesman & Joo. More traditional fare from a Big Five band sees Bramwell Tovey conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra in Strauss and Lehár.
Among other major American outfits, the Baltimore Orchestra (at Strathmore) offers "The Blue Danube and More!" on January 2, with Andrew Grams on the podium. The San Francisco Symphony offers a tantalising "Masquerade Ball," with a waltz program conducted by Michael Francis followed by, well, a masked ball.
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