Anyone still reeling from the revisionist austerities of Harnoncourt’s recent New Year’s concerts will be thrilled to hear these somewhat more traditional performances, in which Seiji Ozawa strikes an excellent balance between a healthy serving of Viennese Schlag and an altogether welcome rhythmic discipline. It helps that three of the most enjoyable pieces are making their New Year’s Concerts debut: Zivio (March) and Elisen (Polka francaise), both by Strauss Jr., and best of all the wonderfully energetic Danse diabolique by Joseph Hellmesberger II. This last is a real find. All three add sparkle to the usual fare, including a high-spirited Fledermaus Overture, lilting renditions of the Artist’s Life, Vienna Blood, and Blue Danube Waltzes, and of course the concluding Radetzky March. Anyone cynical about Ozawa’s credentials in Strauss et al will find in this disc a welcome corrective: he makes wonderful music with what is now effectively his orchestra (in its operatic incarnation), and if you think that these pieces play themselves, try some of Lorin Maazel’s New Year’s outings. Excellent sonics too, bright and neat, top off a thoroughly entertaining concert. Pass the champagne!
