Strauss: Starting 2026 at the Concertgebouw

​There is no place on earth quite like the Grote Zaal of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. When you walk in, the gold-leaf detailing and those iconic names—Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler—ringing the balcony immediately transport you. But on a crisp January morning for the Viennese New Year’s Concert, the atmosphere shifts from "temple of music" to a grand, sparkling celebration.

If you’ve ever watched the famous Vienna Philharmonic broadcast on TV, you know the vibe. But hearing it live in one of the world’s best acoustic spaces? That is a different level of magic.

The Music: Like Champagne for the Ears

The program, performed by the Göttinger Sinfonieorchester under the baton of Nicholas Milton, was exactly what a New Year’s soul needs: elegant, light, and unashamedly joyful.

We were treated to a parade of Strauss family hits. The "Tritsch-Tratsch Polka" set a playful, energetic pace, while the "Die Fledermaus" Overturefilled the hall with that sophisticated Viennese wit. One of my personal favorites was Josef Strauss’s "Feuerfest!" (Fireproof!)—you could practically see the sparks flying as the conductor struck the anvil in time with the rhythm.

Of course, the morning wouldn't be complete without the unofficial anthem of the New Year: "An der schönen, blauen Donau" (The Blue Danube). As those first shimmering tremolos from the violins began, a collective sigh of contentment swept through the audience.

The Highlight: The "Radetzky March" (always a crowd-pleaser!). There is nothing quite like the sight of a thousand people in their Sunday best, clapping along in perfect (mostly!) synchronized rhythm as the conductor turns around to "lead" the audience.

If you’re looking for a way to shake off the winter blues and start your year with a sense of optimism, put this on your bucket list for next January. It’s festive, it’s elegant, and it’s the most "Amsterdam" way to say Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

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