Vienna’s world-renowned New Year’s Concert, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, rang in 2025 with maestro Riccardo Muti conducting the 85th edition of this cherished musical tradition. Held in the illustrious Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the concert celebrated the bicentennial of Johann Strauss II, the “King of the Waltz,” with a program brimming with his timeless compositions. This year also marked a historic moment: the inclusion of a piece by a female composer, Constanze Geiger.
A Milestone for Women in Music
For the first time in the concert’s storied history, a piece by a female composer graced the program. Geiger’s “Ferdinandus Waltz”, written when she was just 12 years old, was selected not for its novelty but for its exceptional artistic value. Maestro Muti, an 83-year-old veteran of the podium, emphasized the quality and personality of the piece, describing its vivace introduction as a bold declaration: “Here I am.” Geiger, a composer, pianist, and actress, was closely associated with the Strauss family, with her waltz originally conducted by Johann Strauss I.
A Tribute to the Strauss Dynasty
This year’s concert was a tribute to Johann Strauss II, whose music encapsulates the spirit of Vienna. The orchestra performed eight of his pieces, including the perennial favorite, “The Blue Danube Waltz”, which was part of the encore alongside Johann Strauss I’s rousing “Radetzky March.” Muti noted that the Strauss family’s music captures both melancholy and joy—a delicate balance reflecting the essence of Vienna itself.
Broadcast Across Europe
The concert was widely broadcast across Europe, ensuring millions could welcome the New Year with this cultural celebration. Key channels that aired the concert include:
- Austria: ORF2
- Belgium: VRT and RTBF
- France: France 2
- Germany: ZDF and 3SAT
- Italy: RAI
- Netherlands: NPO1
- Spain: La 1 and RTVE Internacional Europa
- Sweden: SVT1 and SVT2
- Switzerland: SRF1, RTS, RSI, and 3SAT
- United Kingdom: BBC Two
Streaming platforms such as medici.tv also extended the concert’s reach.
For more information on how to watch the concert, you can consult guides like El País or Huffington Post.
Ballet and Beyond
As in previous years, the televised concert featured performances by the Vienna State Opera Ballet. This year’s choreography, led by British artist Cathy Marston, brought fresh energy to the stage. Additionally, viewers enjoyed a unique intermission film, “2025 – A Strauss Odyssey,” which humorously depicted Thomas Strauss, a fictional descendant of Johann Strauss II, exploring his ancestor’s legacy from a spaceship.
A Message of Harmony and Hope
Riccardo Muti used the occasion to send a poignant message of “peace and beauty” to the world. “The world needs harmony, beauty, and peace,” he stated, likening the music to a ship carrying love and serenity across the symbolic waves of the Blue Danube.
Celebrating 200 Years of the King of Waltz
The bicentennial of Johann Strauss II has sparked a series of commemorative events across Austria. Known for his universal appeal and global fame even in his own time, Strauss’s works remain the heart and soul of Vienna’s New Year’s celebrations.
The New Year’s Concert not only serves as a reminder of Vienna’s rich musical heritage but also as a beacon of unity and hope for the year ahead. Under the masterful baton of Riccardo Muti, the 2025 edition reaffirmed its place as a cultural highlight, bringing joy to audiences across the globe.
