Dom Robinson reviews

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Cat.no: SVD 45985

Cert: E

Running time: 97'55

Year: 1987

Pressing: 1998

Region(s): 2, PAL

Chapters: 16 plus extras

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo

Languages: N/A

Programme Notes: English, French, German

Presented in Fullscreen

16:9-enhanced: No

Macrovision: No

Disc Format: DVD 5

Price: £19.99

Extras : Scene index, Biography, Programme Notes

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"All is quiet on New Year's Day", sang U2 four years before this concert, but Karajan had other ideas.

This time round there don't seem to be any separately-staged shots of musicians as with the other two Karajan DVDs reviewed on this site, presumably as that wouldn't quite fit in with the concert atmosphere. There are, however, some pre-recorded visuals which are put to music during the performance and these are described later on.

Again, we are treated to an exceptional transfer with zero artifacts and a high bitrate of 7.74Mb/s. Given that the performance is displayed in 4:3, the disc is obviously not anamorphic - a process used for prints with a ratio of 16:9 or wider which allows extra resolution on widescreen televisions.

Sound options are available for Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1. It doesn't disappoint whatsoever.

Extras :

Chapters :

There are 16 chapters, with one for each movement. The track listing is as follows :

1. Opening
2. Der Zigeunerbaron Overture (7'40)
3. "Spharenklange" Op.235 Walzer (9'08)
4. "Annen-Polka" Op.117 Polka francaise (3'59)
5. "Delirien-Walzer" Op.212 (9'08)
6. Die Fledermaus Overture (8'32)
7. "Beliebte Annen-Polka" Op.137 Polka francaise (3'03)
8. "Vergnugungszug" Op.281 Polka schnell (2'39)
9. "Pizzicato Polka" (2'43)
10. "Kaiser-Walzer" Op.43 (11'21)
11. "Perpetuum mobile" Op.257 Musikalischer Scherz (2'46)
12. "Unter Donner und Blitz" Op.324 Polka schnell (3'14)
13. "Fruhlingsstimmen" Op.410 Walzer (8'10)

Kathleen Battle, Soprano
14. "Ohne Sorgen" Op.271 Polka schnell (1'42)
15. "An der schonen, blauen Donau" Op.314 Walzer (10'06)
16. "Radetzky-Marsch" Op.228 (3'09)

Languages/Subtitles :

This time there are some vocals. While they are sung in their original language, lyrics are available in English, French and German. The biography and programme notes and are also available in the same three languages.

Biography and Programme Notes :

The first option displays an extensive seven-page biog of conductor Herbert Von Karajan, while the latter provides nine pages of info about how the New Year's Concert came about.

Menu :

Like the other two Karajan discs, the menu is static and navigation between the different sub-menus is problem-free.

Once again, Karajan is in charge, making it all seem so effortless. In addition this time, the Spanish Riding School of Vienna put on a display during track 7 and the Ballet of the Vienna State Opera dance during the Blue Danube in track 15. Anyone still not familiar with the Blue Danube only has to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey and all will become clear.

Also, on stage during track 13 is soprano Kathleen Battle, but unlike the Beethoven DVD conducted by Karajan, there are no lyrics available to go with the music. Definitely one for Never Mind The Buzzcocks' "guess the lyrics" round...

This is the longest of the three Karajan DVDs available at the moment and my favourite tracks have to be No's 13, 15 and 16, the latter (Radetsky March) setting the audience clapping along as it gets in full flow, although being 'asked' by Karajan to calm it down during the slow parts.

FILM	 		: *****
PICTURE QUALITY		: *****
SOUND QUALITY		: *****
EXTRAS			: **
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OVERALL			: ****