Concerts with a theme are the tradition in Berlin
on New Year’s Eve. For 2001. Daniel Barenboim chose ‘the dance’
as the theme, and this DVD preserves that evening. I am inherently
suspicious about what are loosely termed "compilation discs,"
but this is a real gem. The atmosphere is infectious and by the
time you reach "Tico Tico," you will be totally in harness
for one of the most enjoyable concert recordings I have experienced
on DVD.
This disc shows the Berlin orchestra really enjoying
themselves, and the conductor plays along with them, complementing
the overall atmosphere. The audience, of which we see relatively
little, is obviously caught up in the proceedings. The concert
starts fairly soberly with the Bach Gavotte, and this is followed
by the famous menuetto from Mozart’s Divertimento in D. Barenboim
then leaves the rostrum and takes up his position at the piano.
He leads the orchestra in a very pleasant performance of Mozart’s
Rondo for piano and orchestra.
Aida is the source for a more dance related
pieces. The Dance of the Little Moorish Slaves is superbly
played, and Barenboim plays up to the audience to the manner born.
The atmosphere heats up significantly with a
superbly rhythmical and dynamic performance of Dvořák’s
popular Slavonic Dance played with superb attack and gusto. If
nothing else, the disc would be worth acquiring for this performance
alone. Although not a Czech flavoured performance, the Berlin
Philharmonic play with such panache that one could imagine
the Czech Philharmonic being stretched to match the verve clearly
in evidence here.
Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers from
The Nutcracker precedes one of the more melancholy examples
of dance music in the person of Sibelius’s Valse Triste.
We then are treated to some fun which forms part of the celebrations
on the following day in Vienna. Zoltan Kodaly is featured in the
guise of his Dances from Galanta. Barenboim and the orchestra
reduce the temperature of the proceedings by a beautiful performance
of the Dances. The tone of the performance is languishing and
allows the woodwind soloists full rein to their extreme virtuosity.
South America comes into focus with two short
pieces by composers from that region. A Fuego Lento by
Salgan and Tico Tico by Zequiha de Abreu and Alysio Oliviera.
The latter is the highlight of the disc for me, with the BPO settling
into the jazz idiom with absolutely no difficulty whatsoever.
At times, Barenboim stands motionless apart from a rhythmic swaying
to inspire his players. What a superlative ensemble Claudio Abbado
has developed during his tenure as Chief Conductor.
More Strauss and encores combined close an evening’s
entertainment which I am sure will captivate you. So, in conclusion,
if you are attracted by either the repertoire, or indeed the opportunity
to witness an end of year celebration, then this is the DVD for
you.
John Phillips
SilvesterKonzert
(Gala from Berlin) Invitation to the Dance (2001) 
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel
Barenboim (also pianist in Mozart Rondo)