New Year’s Concert in Vienna

One of the most prestigious orchestras in the world has become famous for its starring role at its most popular musical event – the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert.
The programme varies only slightly from year to year, and is mostly selected from the works of the Strauss dynasty, informs Euronews.
The orchestra’s president and first violin Clemens Hellberg said:
“It is a very Viennese music, a Viennese expression and explanation of life. Our orchestra is so closely connected with this kind of music because most of us grew up with it. What we are looking for is a concert, or a kind of music, which is very popular, but on the other hand is of the highest artistic level because the works of the Strauss dynasty are masterpieces.”
A unique feature of this orchestra, which is based at the Musikverein concert hall, is that it has no principal conductor – guest conductors are hired for each concert. For the New Year’s Concert the guest was France’s Georges Prкtre. The orchestra is a private self-governing body, though its members are also full-time musicians at the Vienna State Opera.

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