Ring in the new year with Vienna Philharmonic’s annual concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. Guest conducted for the third time by Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, the program features many selections never before played at these traditional concerts including works by Josef Strauss, Joseph Hellmesberger Jr., Johann Strauss Jr. and more. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns as host for a sixth year. The broadcast also features performances by Vienna Boys and Girls Choirs and the Vienna State Ballet with choreography by Ashley Page. Great Performances: From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2023 premieres Sunday, January 1 at 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and streams the following day at pbs.org/gperf and the PBS Video app.
Musical Selections:
- Franz von Suppè – Overture to “Isabella”*
- Josef Strauss – “Pearls of Love” Waltz*
- Josef Strauss – “Angelica-Polka francaise”*
- Eduard Strauss – “Up and Away” Quick Polka*
- Josef Strauss – “Blithe Spirits” Polka*
- Josef Strauss – “For ever Quick Polka”
- Josef Strauss – “Siskins” Waltz*
- Joseph Hellmesberger Jr. – “Bells Polka and Gallop”*
- Josef Strauss – “Allegro fantastique” orchestral fantasy*
- Josef Strauss – “Watercolors” Waltz
- Johann Strauss Jr. – “Bandits Gallop”
- Johann Strauss Jr. – “The Beautiful Blue Danube” Waltz
- Johann Strauss Sr. – “Radetzky March”
* First performance at a New Year’s Concert
Locations:
- Augarten Palais, home of the Vienna Boys Choir
- Theater in der Josefstadt
- Lobmeyr Crystal, creators of the Musikverein and Met Opera’s iconic chandeliers
- Melk Abbey, church, state rooms and library
- The Garden Pavilion of Stift Melk of Melk Abbey
- Hofcapella Imperial Chapel, where the Vienna Boys Choir has performed for 525 years
- Prater Ateliers, the only remaining buildings from the Vienna 1873 World’s Fair
- Laxenburg Palace and Park
Notable Talent:
- Hugh Bonneville, host, actor, Masterpiece: Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A New Era
- Franz Welser-Möst, three-time Grammy-nominated guest conductor and Music Director of Cleveland Orchestra
- Vienna Boys and Girls Choirs
- Vienna State Ballet
Noteworthy Facts:
- This is conductor Franz Welser-Möst’s third year conducting the New Year’s Concert. Previous concerts were in 2011 and 2013.
- This is Hugh Bonneville’s sixth consecutive year acting as host for the New Year’s Concert.
