Rush released as usual, the traditional New Year's Day concert from Vienna is a motley collection of the usual favourites mixed with quite a few rarities. The charismatic Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa was at the helm for the concert this time and her certainly turns in some lovingly turned interpretations. Amongst the rarities, which are present, one finds "Zivio" an interesting march by Johann Strauss II and a French Polka by the same composer, both played with tremendous zest by the inimitable Vienna Philharmonic. All the other pieces are more or less on autopilot, such is the Vienna Philharmonic's affinity with the music.
Sometimes I fail to see the sense of releasing such a concert year in, year out as the sales must suffer, who is going to be served with ten Blue Danubes!? However it is a useful souvenir of what remains a grand gala occasion.
Copyright © 2002, Gerald Fenech