The annual 'New Year's Day Concert' is the traditional Strauss gala with the Vienna Philharmonic marking the turn of the calendar in the spectacularly beautiful Musikverein. For the first time in 2002 the concert was conducted by Seiji Ozawa and the light-hearted nature of the event finds this always engaging conductor at his most impishly playful. The works of Joseph and Johann Strauss more-or-less alternate, opening with Johann's 'Zivio!' march and closing, 108 minutes later, with the traditional clap-along to the 'Radetzky-March'. Among the polkas and waltzes, including a ravishing encore of the Blue Danube waltz, other highlights include the overture to 'Die Fledermaus', which gets the second half of the concert off to a rousing start. Johann's little known 'Perpetuum Mobile' controversially brings politics to the occasion, being used to mark the introduction of the Euro. Perhaps this is why it is immediately followed by a 'Danse Diabolique' by Joseph Hellmesberger jnr, the one none-Strauss work in the programme? However, sly satire is soon forgotten as the delightful 'Elisen-Polka' sweeps devilish thoughts away with its delightful melody. A wonderful time is had by all and while watching on TV can never recreate the atmosphere of being there it is all still hugely enjoyable.
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