This year's concert is conducted by Lorin Maazel, music director of the New York Philharmonic. Maazel leads the concert for the 11th time, on the 25th anniversary of his first New Year's Day appearance. Several tunes make their New Year's debuts, including Strauss's Indigo-March and Haute vol_e-Polka.

The Great Performances broadcast also includes performances by the Vienna State Opera Ballet with star dancer and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov, a video tour of the city's famous woods, and a feature about the creation of Viennese apfelstrudel.

Recordings of the New Year's Concert are perennial best sellers. This year's concert will be available from Deutsche Grammophon on CD on January 7 and on DVD on January 17.