The only NYE party where the hangover is existential beauty.
The annual New Year’s Eve Concert is one of the highlights in the calendar of every classical music fan in Berlin and beyond. On New Year‘s Eve, the Berliner Philharmoniker invite an exceptional soloist for a festive gala. Together, the musicians bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. The 1996 concert was conducted by Claudio Abbado and featured Maxim Vengerov (violin) and the Swedish Radio Choir performing: Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 1, 5, 7, 17, 10 & 21, Johannes Brahms: Gipsy Songs, Op. 103, Maurice Ravel: Tzigane, Johannes Brahms: "Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang", Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 52, Maurice Ravel: La Valse, Hector Berlioz: Hungarian March.
Direction
Abbado's physical, almost dance-like conducting.
Acting
Vengerov's 22-year-old prodigy fire.
Cinematography
Warm 90s film stock on Berlin's golden hall.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This concert bridged East-West Berlin reunification energy—Abbado had just become chief conductor in 1989, literally months after the Wall fell.
Vengerov's Stradivarius here, the 1727 'ex-Kiesewetter', was later severely damaged in a 1998 car accident—this footage captures its pre-trauma voice.
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