The title Mit Extrapost ('By Special Post') of the final item in the first half of this New Year's Concert might just as readily apply to the remarkable way in which record companies these days get out the finished article within 10 days or so of the actual performance. The only trace of corners being cut is in the absence of track timings. Otherwise the result is perfection itself - a polished presentation of a concert that seemed exhilarating and stylish on television on New Year's Day and does so no less now.
The balance between familiar and unfamiliar in the programme is as well judged as ever. The latter include a fair homage to various nationalities - to the Greeks in the Hellenen-Polka, the British in the Albion-Polka, the Czechs in Gruss an Prag - to complement the more familiar Persischer-Marsch and Eljen a Magyar! Utterly delightful is another piece that is, surprisingly, receiving its first performance at these concerts - Josef's Marien-Klange Waltz, which confirms the second brother's unique sensitivity and refinement.
Among the more familiar items, Muti also takes the right option in giving the full version of the Wein, Weib und Gesang Waltz, which is too often played with its introduction abridged. Most important of all, the music throughout flows along as naturally and beguilingly as the Danube itself. Nobody who has enjoyed any previous Vienna New Year Concert should be the slightest bit disappointed with this latest release.
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