Beautiful pictures from the traditional New Year's Day Concert in Vienna, 2015
Zubin Mehta conducted the 2015 annual New Year's Day Concert in Vienna's beautiful Musikverein – and he even shared a toast with the orchestra on stage. Here are some of the best photos from this highlight of the classical calendar
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1. The Vienna Philharmonic take their place on stage
Zubin Mehta conducted the 2015 Vienna New Year's Day Concert, which took place in the sumptuously decorated Musikverein in the city. Credit: PA
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2. Zubin Mehta – a Vienna regular
Indian conductor Zubin Mehta took the helm at the concert for the fifth time. Credit: PA
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3. A celebration of the Strauss family
As always, the programme was largely made up of the music of the Strauss family. This year's programme included Johan Strauss II's Accelerationen. Credit: PA
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4. Zubin Mehta's celebrates over 50 years with the VPO
Zubin Mehta has been working with the Vienna Philharmonic for over 50 years. Credit: Getty
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5. Rarely performed musical gems
Each year the New Year's Day Concert includes some musical rarities. This year, the programme included a piece by Johann Strauss II inspired by students and a polka about the latest developments in science – Elektro-magnetische polka. Credit: Getty
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6. A wealth of flowers
The glittering Musikverein was decorated with a wealth of flowers from Vienna's famous parks and gardens. This year's colours were 'Pink and Rose, Orange and Deep Yellow'. Credit: Getty
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7. One of the world's best conductors
Bombay-born Zubin Mehta is one of the biggest names in classical music, having worked with the Vienna, Berlin and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras. Credit: Getty
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8. The best in Viennese arts
It's not just the orchestra that performs, some years there are also contributions from the city's ballet dancers and the Vienna Boys Choir. Credit: Getty
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9. Sought-after tickets
Tickets for the annual New Year's Eve and Day Concert are in such high demand that they are drawn by lot the previous January. Credit: Getty
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10. The programme
The programme for the New Year's Concert 2015 included music not only by members of the Strauss family but also by Franz von Suppé and Hans Christian Lumbye. Credit: Getty
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11. Raising a glass!
There's always a light-hearted tone to the New Year's Concert – and this year was no exception. Following a performance of Lumbye's 'Champagne Galop', Mehta and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra raised a glass to welcome in the New Year. Credit: PA
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12. Happy New Year!
Following tradition, Mehta turned to the audience to wish them 'Happy New Year' in German, on behalf of the orchestra. Credit: PA
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13. Waiting on the orchestra
Zubin Mehta played the role of a waiter as he handed glasses of champagne to the violin section. Credit: PA
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14. Explosions Polka
Johann Strauss I's Explosions Polka lived up to its name with confetti exploding above the concert hall. Credit: Getty
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15. Radestsky March
As per tradition, the concert closed with a performance of Johann Strauss I's Radetsky March. Credit: Getty
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16. All join in!
The audience in the Musikverein join in with the Radetsky March by clapping – and Mehta turned round to conduct them too. Credit: Getty
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17. Watch the conductor
It's not as simple as just clapping – there are dynamics to follow for this applause. The audience keeps a watchful eye on the conductor… Credit: PA
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18. Pianissimo
Zubin Mehta gestures for the audience to clap pianissimo. Credit: PA
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19. Floral fireworks
Zubin Mehta conducts the audience behind a sumptuous display of flowers. Credit: Getty
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20. Vienna's New Year Concert album
The New Year's Day Concert is always recorded and released. This year's is available now on Sony. Credit: PA
