Concert Report
Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2011
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra opens the year with a concert featuring western classical music and 2012 is the orchestra’s 76th offering. It is the largest classical musical event reaching over a billion people telecasted live on T.V and radio in more than 70 countries worldwide (Pbs.org N.D.). The show was hosted by Julie Andrews and for her it has been a tradition that she is always delighted with.
The concert performance was delivered by one of the most renowned orchestral ensemble in the world. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 1842 has been delivering stunning performances in classical Viennese music. They are one of the most prestigious orchestra in Europe who worked closely with some of the masters of music like Anton Bruckner, Franz Liszt and many more (McLennan, Douglas 1990). Also featuring in the performance is the world’s oldest boy’s choir that has been around since Maximilian-I founded it in 1498. The gala is under the direction for the second time of a master conductor from Musikverein, Vienna, Mariss Jansons. The concert was held at Musikverein Golden Hall in Vienna Austria, it was aired live on January 1, 2012, Sunday at 2:30PM with an encore telecast at 7:30PM in the evening (Pbs.org N.D.).
Most of the music performed in the concert are mostly consists of Johann Strauss’s compositions like Radetzky March, op. 228, The Blue Danube Waltz, op. 314, Tick Tock, Fast Polka, op. 365, Thunder and Lightning, Fast Polka, op. 324, Persian March, op. 289, Pizzicato Polka op. 25, Sperl Galopp, op. 42 and Enjoy Life, Waltz, op. 340. The works of Josef Straus was also performed during the concert such as Burning Love, Polka Mazurka, op. 129, Fireproof, French Polka, op. 269 (with The Vienna Boys’ Choir) and Artists Greeting, French Polka, op. 274. Other compositions include Danse Diabolique by Joseph Hellmesberger Jun., Steam Railway, Galopp by Hans Christian Lumbye, Carmen Quadrille by Eduard Strauss and Panorama and Waltz from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty” by Peter I. Tschaikowsky. The two and a half hour show delivered a classical music performance at its best (Pbs.org N.D.).
Overall, the performance and the music played on the concert are nothing less than the crème de la crème of classical compositions that also showcase Vienna’s mastery of the classical arts. But among the compositions what I thought is he best piece of all is the Blue Danube Waltz. It never goes out of style and in fact Waltz is considered as the foundation of classical music and became a worldwide standard on classical music literature. In terms of he least favorite pieces, there is really nothing to be wasted among the compositions played in the concert because all of them are works of classic genius that set the benchmark of classical standards in Polka’s and Waltz’s.
One aspect of the music that didn’t appeal to me though is the use of the unconventional percussion instrument on one of the composition. The orchestra played the Fireproof, French Polka, op. 269 with vocal accompaniment of the Vienna Boy’s Choir. During the performance of that particular piece, the conductor used iron anvil and hammer to create another element in the symphony. But it didn’t seem to be appealing because of the fact that the bell-like sound of the hammer and anvil sounds inconsistent to the harmony of the instruments in the orchestra. The sound that the hammer and anvil is making doesn’t seem to follow a tone pattern, the high tone created by the hammer and anvil is flat although it flows through the rhythm, but the way it blends through the vocal accompaniment and the music that the orchestra makes sounds inconsistent and not to mention it overpowers the other sound elements produced by the orchestra.
With regards to the performers, they have done an excellent job in executing all the compositions in respect to their chosen musical instrument. The long years of experience of the members of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra made them the masters of their own instruments. In fact being a member of the orchestra means a great deal of professionalism and experience since before becoming a full member, a person aspiring to join the orchestra would have to serve in the orchestra for at least three years before earning the right to sit in the ensemble.
Since the most favorite piece in the concert was mentioned earlier, the Blue Danube Waltz let us make an analysis of the elements and among other things that makes this musical masterpiece immortal. The Blue Danube Waltz was a composition of Johann Straus Jr. a member of the Austrian dynasty in classical music. Waltz, particularly Blue Danube was considered as the unofficial national anthem of the country although it originated from Germany in a rustic dance called landler. The dance-type music had flourished in Vienna, Austria and later became influential in the classical genre. There are several elements in the Blue Danube and the most distinct is the beat. It usually has three strong beats and then followed by 2 lighter beats (Soundjunction.org N.D.). This means that each note is composed of three beats. It is commenced with an introduction of an extended “A” major key. It I accompanied by tremolo of a horn and shimmering violins which makes up the fundamentals. It is then answered by a subdued mood of wind chords of staccato. Then it briefly rises into loud passage then eventually dies down into the opening bar carrying a restful nature. A quick and contrasting phrase can heard in “D” major that overall anticipates the waltz before the quiet bass moves downward which makes up the melody. Other composers made their own contemporaries in waltz but followed the elements and the patterns that is considered as the trademarks of the Waltz, but among the many forms and composition of Waltz, Blue Danube became the most popular.
References
Pbs.org (N.D.) From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2012, About the Program Web. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/from-vienna-the-new-year%E2%80%99s-celebration-2012/about-the-program/1219/
McLennan, Douglas. "Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra" Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians since 1990 2004 Web Retrieved April 14, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3428400562.html
Soundjunction.org (N.D.) The Waltz Web Retrieved April 14, 2012 from http://www.soundjunction.org/thewaltz.aspa
New Years Concert 2012 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in HD can be watched in full at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dViZ3KouVDQ&feature=related
