Karl Albrecht

As in previous years, the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2024 New Year’s Concert has been released by Sony Classical in both audio and video formats. Under the baton of Christian Thielemann no fewer than nine of the works from the foot-tapping world of the waltz and polka are featured for the first time on the programme of what remains the most popular event in the world of classical music.

"Il Primo libro di Madrigali", Venedig, 1611, at Gardano

In a memorial from 1651, Heinrich Schutz gave an account of his life, retracting the formative years in Venice from 1609 when he began to "study music with the utmost diligence. With the help of God I attained such fame that after three years (one year before I left Italy for home) I had my first little piece of music printed in Italian, earning extravagant praise from the most distinguished musicians in Venice…"

The fantastic tale of an 18th century aristocrat, his talented henchmen and a little girl in their efforts to save a town from defeat by the Turks. Being swallowed by a giant sea-monster, a trip to the moon, a dance with Venus and an escape from the Grim Reaper are only some of the improbable adventures.