Search - Riccardo Muti - New Year's Concert 2000 on DVD

Millenium Magic from Vienna!

John G. Gleeson Sr. | Frederic, Mi USA | 11/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For more years than I want to admit or recollect, our New Year's Day has always featured the PBS broadcast ( or telecast, when available) of the Vienna Philharmonic's annual concert. Featuring, for the most part, the music of the talented Strauss family, these concerts were always captivating, and the longer waltzes provide ample support of Zubin Mehta's comment that they were "perfect tone poems", which could neither be added to or suffer subtraction from by so much as a note. EMI has done a perfect job of capturing the magic of the 2000 Concert, lead by the talented and acclaimed maestro, Riccardo Muti. It has been said, and I have found it to be so, that no other orchestra can play 3/4 time like the VP; the minute hesitation on the third beat is not done this way by any other orchestra. It is obvious that Muti, said to be as strict as was Toscanini, is having a wonderful time with this music and we did too. Visually stunning, with views of the sumptuous Musikverein altenating with views of Vienna, the viewer has ample time to view the orchestra without being bored. The sound is Dolby 5.1, which is all that needs be noted. Put it on your wish list now, so that when New Year comes around, you can kick back and enjoy. This DVD is a guaranteed delight!"

Very enjoyable.... anytime...

Young Seok Park | Seoul, Korea | 12/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like to watch this DVD whenever I have some extra time. The tracks mainly consist of waltzes and polkas, which amuse me with easy feeling. In particular I love to see the two tracks with multi angles which feature ballet to the music. The photography during the rendition of "On the beautiful blue Donau" is spectacular. Of course to see the very last track "Radetzky March" is also a pleasure. The audience claps in accordance with Muti's conducting. This also includes one "serious" music called "Ein Morgen, ein Mittag, ein Abend in Wien", an overture by Suppe, which is so beautiful and dramatic. I think Muti is charismatic when conducting and did a great job in the concert.The video/audio quaity is outstandng. The picture has 16:9 letterbox format and the sound format has both 5.1 DD and lineat PCM stereo, which I prefer for classical music. So... I am sure this DVD can be an all time favorite for anyone who loves music and "peace"."

Magnificent

Fernando J. Orozco | El Monte, CA USA | 03/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own three New year's concerts on DVD, and this is my favorite. It contais great selections of the works by Johann Strauss as well as his brothers and other musicians. Also, this is the only Concert that I have where the conductor gives an actual speech before The Blue Danube. Anyway, this concert should be on your shelf and watched once on a blue moon.By the Way, there are two or three selections where you con choose the "angle" on the DVD to either see the orchestra playing or see people dance to the music and swich anytime. This is a great feature!!!Great stuff here."

Had the privilege of being there in person!

Scrumpy's Mum | North Beach, MD USA | 10/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After having watched this wonderful New Year's Day Concert for years on TV, I read an article in the Washington Post which told how to apply to enter the lottery to purchase the few hundred tickets which are sold each year out of all those that are subscription tickets. Wonder of wonders - I was picked in the lottery to buy tickets. I bought 2 tickets - one for me and one for my friend who was my former music teacher in junior high school a bazillion years ago. Sitting in that wonderfully old music hall with accoustics that make any music halls we have in the US outdated was absolutely breathtaking. I was in heaven for the duration and after our glorious days in Vienna afterward, my friend said it was the first time that she was absolutely filled with music after a trip. So now, for Christmas this year, I will surprise her with a repeat of our trip in the form of this DVD."