Search - New Year's Concert 2008 / Pretre, Wien Phil. on DVD

Splendid New Year's Concert From Pretre & Vienna Philharmoni

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Distinguished French operatic conductor Georges Pretre was definitely an odd choice to lead this year's concert at Vienna's venerable Musikverein, but he demonstrates a warm affinity for the Viennese waltz tradition in this rather well-played concert. With the possible exception of the Blue Danube Waltz, I thought Pretre was absolutely superb in conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra), though perhaps it was more the Wiener Philharmoniker, not Pretre himself, who understood quite well the rich musical textures of J. Strauss II's scores. Nonetheless, this has to rank among the better New Year's Concerts in recent memory, even though I regard as more memorable both of Harnoncourt's concerts conducted earlier in this decade, as well as Mehta's exceptional 2007 concert. And yet, as I have noted before, Pretre demonstrates that he is a fine interpreter of the Strauss family's music, which is represented here by works composed not only by Johann Strauss II, but also several pieces - including the traditional encore "Radetzky March" - by his father Johann Strauss I and by his brother Josef Strauss. This annual New Year's treat also features excellent dancing from members of the Vienna State Opera Ballet, culminating in a fine "duet" that concludes within the Musikverein. Fans of the annual New Year's Concert will surely appreciate this latest addition from the Wiener Philharmoniker."

Some first time inclusions

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 08/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With a world-wide TV and radio audience guaranteed and a tradition going back nearly 80 years, the Vienna Philharmonic New Year concerts can now afford to present several first time inclusions selected from the works of the over-worked and over-stressed Strauss Family. Six items in the 2008 program make their first appearance. Two are by Strauss The Father including a waltz with a short introduction that becomes very loud. These two items acknowledge French inspiration, as does Johann The Son's "Orpheus Quadrille", entirely based (not merely providing "echoes" as the booklet writer asserts) on melodies from Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld".

Another first time inclusion is the veteran French conductor Georges Prêtre whose selection of tempi changes within the waltzes and polkas are nicely judged even if they remove the music far away from its dance origins.

Those who wish to have the concert in DVD format can access some ballet sequences - distinctly more modern in style than usually provided, but timed to fit the music perfectly."

Georges Pretre: a good and charismatic choice!

Rodolfo Camporredondo | MEXICO CITY, D.F. Mexico | 01/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was very surprised (an 'odd choice' wrote someone else around here) that Georges
Pretre would conduct the traditional New Year Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic.

I had seen Maestro Pretre conduct only once, the Philhadelphia Orchestra around
17 years ago, I think, and I thought it was a very good concert, but no comparison
with Ozawa, Kleiber or Harnoncourt.

Well, he is SO CHARISMATIC that the New Year concert is a real pleasure to
watch. I understand he conducted again today (December 31, 2009) and I will
get THAT new DVD as soon as it appears in the market.

I wonder why Maestro Pretre did not make a 'spectacular' career before.
I understand some French classical artists are not given many opportunities
in France, so that may explain his scarce discography (same thing happened
to Regine Crespin, Pierre Alain Volondat...and so many others except the
ones that lived outside France).

Well, BRAVO, MAESTRO! The concert was, in my opinion, excellent, a real joy!
It surpasses, I think, other Neujahr concerts conducted by such celebrities
like Abaddo and other rather conceited conductors like Barenboim, Mehta
and Maazel.

Pretre and Vienna = what a delight to watch!"