Vienna Welcomes the Lunar New Year with a Spectacular Concert for Charity

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Vienna, Austria – Vienna celebrated the arrival of the Lunar New Year with an unforgettable evening of music at the Musikverein’s Großer Saal on 2 February 2025. The “Frühlingsstimmen Chinesisches Neujahrskonzert” featured an extraordinary lineup of world-class musicians, blending Eastern and Western musical traditions in a breathtaking performance. The Youtuo Classical Music Institute presented this highly anticipated event, with proceeds benefiting charitable organizations, including the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG) and “Licht ins Dunkel”.

A Dazzling Musical Programme

The concert showcased an exquisite program that transported the audience through different musical eras and cultures. The evening commenced with Huanzhi Li’s “Frühlingsfest-Ouvertüre,” setting a festive tone for the celebration. The program continued with beloved operatic and orchestral masterpieces, including:

Franz Lehár’s famous arias from Giuditta and Das Land des Lächelns.
Georges Bizet’s timeless Habanera from Carmen.
Gu Jianfen’s expressive Das bin ich.
Er Nie’s captivating Jin She Kuang Wu (Tanz der goldenen Schlange), arranged by Tingjiang Hu.
Peter Iljitsch Tschaikowskij’s dynamic Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 G-Dur, op. 44 – 3. Satz (Allegro con fuoco).
Johann Strauß Sohn’s exhilarating Unter Donner und Blitz Polka.
Josef Strauß’s lively Feuerfest Polka française.

Following a brief intermission, the second half of the concert continued to enchant the audience with:

Rudolf Sieczynski’s Wien, Wien, nur du allein.
An evocative performance of Gute Nachricht aus Peking by La Zheng & Hongye Ma.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonie Nr. 5 c-Moll, op. 67 – 1. Satz (Allegro con brio).
Henri Mulet’s Tu es Petrus.
Maria Theresia Paradis’s Sicilienne Es-Dur for violin and organ.
Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger’s Abendlied aus op. 150 for violin and organ.
Hankun Sha’s Hirtenlied.
Vittorio Monti’s rousing Csárdás.
Wei Jin’s Jasminblüte, a mesmerizing concerto for two pianos, choir, and symphony orchestra.

A concert in Vienna will not be complete without the Radetzky March as a grand finale, with enthusiastic audience participation under the baton of Conductor extraordinaire Ding Yuan.

An Evening of Artistic Excellence

Under the direction of Maestro Ding Yuan, the Wiener Domorchester, the Symphonieorchester der Chinesischen Nationaloper, and the ORF Radio Wien Chor delivered a performance of profound artistry and passion. The concert featured a stellar cast of musicians, including violinist Yunzhi Liu, organist Hannfried Lucke, pianists Victoria Shan Luo and Christopher Hinterhuber, and vocalists Yuqun Ruan (soprano), Yang Li (mezzo-soprano), and Shuang Li (tenor). Choir director Rainer Keplinger led the vocal ensemble in a stirring choral performance that left the audience in awe.

A Grand Reception at Hotel Imperial

Following the concert, a prestigious reception was held at the Hotel Imperial, where guests had the opportunity to celebrate the success of the evening with drinks and canapés. The event featured inspirational speeches, including a heartfelt address by Nora Aubert, UNWG President. She congratulated the performers and expressed gratitude to the hosts and organizers for selecting UNWG as one of the charity beneficiaries. The reception provided a fitting conclusion to a night of cultural brilliance and philanthropic spirit, reinforcing Vienna’s reputation as a global center for music and humanitarian collaboration.

This spectacular Lunar New Year concert was a testament to the power of music in bridging cultures and making a meaningful impact. With an outstanding selection of classical and contemporary works performed by world-renowned artists, the event not only delighted music lovers but also supported vital charitable causes, ensuring a celebration that was both enriching and purposeful.

Photos: Rana Hawash; Zahra Shahab

About the Author

Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas is a Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria) and a current Board Member of ENFiD, 1^st Vice President of the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG), Founding Member and former President of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), Adviser and former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), Liaison for the Philippines and Councillor in the European Police Association (EPA), and a member of the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN).