pandemic
Barenboim: Vienna New Year’s Concert is a special event
Daniel Barenboim at work. Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The conductor Daniel Barenboim is coming to Vienna for the third time for the New Year’s concert. He emphasizes the value of music – also and especially in the current Corona situation.
Before the New Year’s Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic, this year’s conductor Daniel Barenboim emphasized the importance of the traditional event.
«Every New Year’s concert is something special. This is not a normal concert, ”said the general music director of the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden of the German Press Agency in Berlin.
Barenboim referred to the international nature of the event, which will be televised in more than 90 countries. “People come from all over the world, you play music from the whole Strauss family.” He warned against underestimating Viennese waltzes, polkas or marches. “The waltz music also has a light character. But such a character can have many faces, »said Barenboim. “That’s something very special about the Strauss family. The music is light, but not superficial. There is a difference. “
The 79-year-old, who is coming to Vienna for the New Year’s Concert for the third time after 2009 and 2014, also sees special features in the relationship between the Philharmonic and conductors. “The orchestra has a very good command of this particular style,” said Barenboim. “It’s a collaboration in which the percentage of the orchestra is greater than usual.”
Corona restrictions
Barenboim emphasized the value of culture even during the pandemic. “Concerts and opera evenings are particularly important at this time,” said the conductor. «We shouldn’t live without music. Music is not a luxury, it is spiritually necessary. ” Music is not taught enough in school. And households in which music is made are the exception. “It’s a shame because music has to keep its importance at all times.”
Due to new corona restrictions in Austria at short notice, the number of spectators for the New Year’s concert had to be reduced to 1000. Seats for the next concert in 2023 will be reserved for the 700 ticket holders who are therefore left empty-handed. This also applies to the public rehearsal on Thursday and the New Year’s Eve concert on Friday, where the same program is played as on Saturday. Riccardo Muti conducted the Philharmonic at the last New Year’s concert in front of empty seats in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein.
According to the latest regulations, more visitors would have been possible, but then with complete basic immunization, negative PCR test (2G plus) and booster vaccination. In order to make it possible to attend the concert without a booster vaccination, the organizers reduced the size of the audience. Proof of 2G plus is sufficient for up to 1000 viewers.