Viennese New Year's Concert - A tradition with many sounds

The Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert is the most famous and most watched in the world. However, it is not the only New Year’s concert that exists. These concerts have become an integral part of the classical music scene worldwide. Even if you can’t get tickets for the famous Philharmonic concert, there are plenty of other ways to welcome the New Year with classical music.

The dark past of the Vienna New Year's Concert

The first Vienna New Year’s Concert did not take place on New Year’s Day 1940, as is often assumed, but on December 31, 1939.

Contrary to today’s association with joy and optimism, the concert served as a propaganda tool for the National Socialists at the time. The lively waltz music, especially the works of the Strauss dynasty, was intended to keep up the morale of the population during the war and convey a positive image of Vienna as a “city of optimism, music and conviviality”. The number of concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra generally increased sharply during this period, especially with waltz music, as Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi regime’s propaganda minister, saw this music as a means of brightening the mood and distracting people from the horrors of war.

It was not until 1941 that the concert finally took place on January 1, thus establishing the tradition of the New Year’s Concert as we know it today. The dominance of waltz music in the program goes back to the conductor Clemens Krauss, who particularly appreciated the works of the Strauss dynasty. This historical link sheds a critical light on the beginnings of the concert and shows how music can be instrumentalized for political purposes.

A worldwide phenomenon with diverse sounds

Even though the Vienna Philharmonic had the word “New Year’s Concert” protected as a trademark and was the only provider for a long time, the great demand for this type of concert led to other orchestras creating similar events. Since 1976, there have been alternative New Year’s concerts in Vienna, such as those of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, which have established themselves with a varied program of waltzes, polkas, operetta melodies and other classical pieces.

The success of the Vienna New Year’s Concert has also made waves internationally, and similar concerts now take place all over the world, from Prague to Calgary to Tokyo. The works of the Strauss dynasty continue to take center stage, underlining the popularity of this musical genre.

Despite the fears of some that the Vienna Philharmonic’s brand patent could lead to a decline in alternative concerts, it has been shown that the market is large enough to accommodate a variety of providers. The demand for New Year’s concerts continues unabated, and the classical concert at the turn of the year remains an experience that many people do not want to miss.

Viennese tradition conquers the world

Although the tradition of New Year’s concerts originated in Vienna, such events now take place all over the world. From Prague to Calgary to Tokyo, orchestras play New Year’s concerts, often with works from the Strauss dynasty. In North America, too, “Salute to Vienna” organizes numerous concerts in this style. Despite initial fears that the Vienna Philharmonic’s trademark patent might interfere with alternative concerts, it turns out that demand is high enough to support a variety of providers. New Year’s concerts are a popular experience that many people want to enjoy.

New Year's concert in Vienna

Vienna is the undisputed capital of New Year’s concerts, with a large number of orchestras cultivating this tradition. In addition to the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra offer top-class concerts. The Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, known for its New Year’s concerts at Palais Liechtenstein, presents a program in 2020 with renowned opera singers such as Martha Hirschmann, Anna Voshege, Stefan Reichmann and Michael Mrosek. These concerts are a popular alternative to the traditional New Year’s concert by the Philharmoniker and promise an unforgettable start to the New Year.

Viennese New Year's concerts: more than just waltzes

Vienna is world-famous for the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert, but the city offers a wealth of other musical highlights at the turn of the year. Numerous orchestras, including the renowned Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, invite you to their own New Year’s concerts, which delight with top-class programs and first-class musicians.

This article encourages Viennese and visitors to discover the diversity of Vienna’s music scene and start the new year with a classical concert. It is an opportunity to put your resolution to experience more culture into practice and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a New Year’s concert in Vienna.

Whether you are a long-time Viennese or a visitor to Vienna, a New Year’s concert is an experience not to be missed. Vienna offers the right concert for every musical taste to start the new year in a lively mood.

Would you like to experience an unforgettable annual concert in Vienna?

Tickets for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra can be found at wienerphilharmoniker.at. Please note that the concerts are very popular and tickets often sell out quickly, especially if booked at short notice. Alternatively, the Hofburg Orchestra also offers atmospheric annual concerts. Information and tickets can be found at www.hofburgorchester.at

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