Vienna New Year's Concert 2026

Johann Strauss II Overture to the operetta Indigo and the Forty Thieves; Fledermaus Quadrille op. 363; Diplomats’ Polka. Polka française op. 448; Roses from the South. Waltz op. 388; Egyptian March op. 335; The Blue Danube, Waltz, Op. 314; Johann Strauss I The Carnival of Paris. Galop op. 100; Radetzky March, Op. 228; Carl Michael Ziehrer Legends of the Danube. Waltz op. 446*; Joseph Lanner Malapou Galops op. 148/1*; Olive Branch Waltz, op. 207; Franz von Suppè Overture to the operetta The Fair Galatea; Josephine Weinlich Siren Songs. Polka mazur op. 13 (arr. W. Dörner)*;Josef Strauss Women’s Dignity Waltz op. 277; Florence Price Rainbow Waltz (arr. W. Dörner)*; Hans Christian Lumbye Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop; Pilipp Fahrbach Circus, Quick Polka, Op. 110.
* for the first time at a New Year’s Concert

Vienna Philharmonic/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Sony Classical 19802996699

More information here

There's much to savour on this album, which marks the debut appearance of Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, leading the Vienna Philharmonic in the legendary New Year's Concert. This annual jamboree of festive Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches, broadcast from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, is a tradition that perhaps benefits from the occasional refresh of its familiar formula, and Nézet-Séguin has risen admirably to that challenge.

The familiar repertoire is delivered with the characteristic rhythmic pulse and precision one expects from this ensemble, whilst the programme includes several welcome first performances at this event. The inclusion of works by Florence Price and Josephine Weinlich brings valuable diversity to the programme. Price's Rainbow Waltz, originally composed for piano and here arranged for orchestra by Wolfgang Dörner—a specialist in 19th-century dance and light music—sits beautifully alongside Weinlich's Sirenen Lieder Polka mazur. Weinlich, who founded the first all-women's orchestra in Europe, deserves to be better known, and her music fits seamlessly into this well-curated selection.

Franz von Suppè's Overture to the operetta The Fair Galatea highlights the Vienna Philharmonic's different sections to fine effect, beautifully phrased throughout. Hans Christian Lumbye's Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop is always a delight, complete with its charming sound effects. The disc concludes, inevitably, with Strauss's Radetzky March.

Nézet-Séguin has certainly added something different to this annual celebration, bringing a freshness that feels timely. The Sony engineers have, as always, captured the sound expertly.