What is the annual New Year’s Day classical music event performed by the Vienna Philharmonic?

The Vienna Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s Day classical music event is the Vienna New Year’s Concert.

The concert is held at Vienna’s Musikverein, chiefly in the Golden Hall, and focuses heavily on music by the Strauss family. Works by Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, and Eduard Strauss form the core of the repertoire, although other composers are also included.

The event began during the Second World War, with the first concert held on 31 December 1939. It moved to New Year’s Day in 1941, establishing the schedule used today. The concert is broadcast internationally and has become one of the most recognizable classical-music events associated with the New Year.

A famous feature is the customary performance of Johann Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube,” followed by “Radetzky March.” Audience clapping is especially associated with the latter, though the exact program changes each year.