Neujahrskonzert 2019 / New Year's Concert 2019

I received the BluRay version of this concert today (March 3). As is typical with this event concert, PBS USA provides substandard coverage the day of the concert, so one must wait for the commercial video to be released a few months later to get a real sense of the concert as a concert...and to hear all of the pieces that were played, as PBS always cuts a few numbers just to annoy people.I have mixed feelings about Thielemann, sometimes in the course of a phrase! He can run the gamut of inspired to puzzling to infuriating over the course of an evening. I have enjoyed some of his Beethoven cycle and some of his opera recordings. Here, he is on his very best behavior, pretty much allowing the orchestra plenty of room to display the panache and beauty of tone for which they are famed in this repertoire. In this sense, Thielemann “gets” the occasion and the band he is leading (unlike other conductors who shall go unnamed).There’s an excellent mix of the new and the familiar here, and while others have brought more excitement and nuance to standards like Strauss Jr’s “Egyptian March,” or Josef Strauss’ “Sphärenklänge,” Thielemann is no slouch. At least he’s very much in the ballpark, even if he’s hitting triples instead of homers.Special mention must go to the sound and picture, both of which are spectacular throughout. Very live, very clear and very deep in the soundtage. Bravo ORF!I would mention that the BluRay contains a Bonus in the form of ballet sequences from Artist’s Life and the Csárdás from Ritter Pásmán, performed by the Ballet Corp of the Vienna State Opera. Worth watching.Highly recoomended.

As soon as I saw this "Straussfest" I had to purchase, being a lover of Strauss. I was absolutely blown away while watching the Blu Ray. Filmed at the beautiful Opera House in Vienna in gorgeous Hi Definition, you can see the joy on the faces of the musicians as they play these pieces. The camera is constantly slow panning around the building which is fine with me. As long as I don't have to endure the fast editing common to filmed rock concerts I am OK. The sound is also terrific. Even though it is listed as 5.0 surround my subwoofer was definitely involved. What a joy to listen to and it is a Blu Ray I will play again and again and never tire of.

I buy New Year's Concert blu-rays every year! This is one of the most enjoyable New Year's Concerts! The ballet sequences were very creative and beautiful. Highly recommended!

Recibí el DVDsin inconvenientes, ahora lo estoy disfrutando, gracias.

The dance sequences weren't in it. That's mainly what I wanted to see.

This is one of the best of a great series of concerts. The conductor, Christian Thielemann, is very engaged. The concert is a mix of the familiar such as Strauss's Der Zigeunerbaron Ouverture and the never performed at a New Year's concert such as Hellmesberger's Entr'acte-Valse. It was a very satisfying program. The blu ray images were detailed with great color balance. The audio was good. The video direction was fine.

All that I can say is tnhat I got what I asked for when it was promised. Would recommend to anyone who loves Viennese music

My father, 90years young, really enjoyed this. There was quite a bit of music on it that was not well known but beautiful. Well shot and good quality. A few extras on the dvd compared to tv showing.

I bought this for my mum and she thinks it's absolutely wonderful, she is a huge fan of the New years day concerts. She found this years concert the best one she has watched so far, but as I said she is already a dedicated fan.

I have watched this concert from Viener for many years and always enjoy it. This year it was slightly different, but I really enjoyed it. The recording quality was excellent

It was wonderful. I really enjoyed it