For its annual New Year's Concert, the
Wiener Philharmoniker brought in
Mariss Jansons for its 2006 concert.
Jansons brought an uncanny ability to command uncoupled to the overwhelming impulse to dominate, as well as an irresistible flair for rhythm, a natural feel for the ebb and flow of rubato, and the ineluctable movement of tempo through time. The program includes pop pieces by Johann Strauss I,
Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, and
Eduard Strauss. DG's sound is translucent and immediate, but also a bit hard around the edges.