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A coveted ticket, the popular annual concert is set among the enchanting surroundings of the Schönbrunn Palace grounds, with the musical repertory selected on the theme “Night.” Concert highlights include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “A Little Night Music,” Johann Strauss’ “A Thousand and One Nights” Waltz and Modest Mussorgsky’s “A Night on Bald Mountain.” In addition to conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, Barenboim–equally known for his masterful skills as a piano soloist–took center stage to perform Spanish composer Manuel De Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” to thunderous applause. The 90-minute television concert captures the glorious Baroque Park in all its atmospheric moods, from early morning dewdrops to mid-day sunshine to a foggy, mysterious nightfall. “There is no one quite like Daniel Barenboim today in the music world,” raves the New York Times.

Barenboim’s current appointments include serving as the general music director of the Berlin State Opera and its orchestra, as well as the Berlin Staatskapelle. He is also principal guest conductor of the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan. Formerly music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre de Paris, Barenboim has been a regular guest of the Vienna Philharmonic since his debut with the orchestra in 1989. Most recently on PBS, viewers will recall Barenboim as guest conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day concert, which aired on Great Performances on January 1, 2009.

For more than 160 years since 1842, there is perhaps no other musical ensemble more closely associated with the history and tradition of European classical music than the Vienna Philharmonic. Richard Wagner described the orchestra as being one of the most outstanding in the world, and Richard Strauss summed it all up by saying, “All praise for the Vienna Philharmonic reveals itself as an understatement.”

Great Performances is funded by the Irene Diamond Fund, Vivian Milstein, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers and PBS. Exclusive corporate funding for this telecast is provided by Rolex. Additional support is provided by The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund and Vera von Kuffner Eberstadt. For Great Performances, John Walker is producer, Bill O’Donnell is series producer and David Horn is executive producer.

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“What a joy to return to Vienna, which has always been a magical place for me,” Andrews says. “And to go at holiday time makes it very special indeed. You’ve never really heard The Blue Danube Waltz until you’ve heard it played by the very orchestra Strauss once led.”

Ms. Andrews carries on for longtime host Walter Cronkite, who relinquishes the post with this telecast. “Though ending this tradition comes with some sadness for me, I am very much looking forward to resuming the long-held custom of spending the holidays with my family and friends,” notes the venerable newsman, who hosted the first international telecast in 1985. “I am also deeply honored that Julie Andrews has been chosen to carry on what has become a holiday high point for millions across America.”

Mr. Barenboim and Ms. Andrews are both longtime Great Performances favorites. He last appeared on the series in 2007’s Barenboim on Beethoven, she in 2004 introducing her 1957 performance in a special digitally remastered encore of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She also hosted the Emmy Award-winning series Broadway: The American Musical in 2004.

Musical highlights of From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2009 include Strauss Jr.’s Gypsy Baron Overture, Thunder and Lightning Polka and The Blue Danube Waltz, danced in the hall by children selected from the Ballet School of the Vienna State Opera.

“Since we first presented this concert 25 years ago, we are proud and delighted it’s become a beloved broadcast tradition at holiday time,” says David Horn, Executive Producer of the telecast and Great Performances. “Needless to say, we look forward to the next 25 years of high spirits and irresistible melody.”

From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2009 is directed by Brian Large, with John Walker as producer/writer.

Major corporate funding for this telecast was provided by Rolex. Great Performances is funded by the Irene Diamond Fund, Vivian Milstein, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers, and PBS. Major funding for this telecast was also provided by The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund and Vera von Kuffner Eberstadt.