Only a few concerts attract the widespread international interest enjoyed by the New Year's Concert in Vienna. For the first time without an in-hall audience, the Vienna Philharmonic ushered in the New Year with a concert conducted by Riccardo Muti at Vienna’s Musikverein. The event is broadcast to over 90 countries all over the world and watched by more than 50 million viewers.

On New Year’s Day of 2021, Riccardo Muti conducted the prestigious New Year’s concert for the 6th time (1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2018). Together with Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti is one of the most engaged New Year's Concert conductors since the era of Lorin Maazel. The conductor’s close artistic relationship with the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra celebrates 50 years, almost 550 concerts, and dates back to 1971. In 2011, this exceptional bond led to Riccardo Muti being named an honorary member of the Vienna Philharmonic. This makes it appropriate not only to reminisce about Italy but also to mark the forthcoming 80th birthday of the conductor and honorary member of the orchestra.

The program contained works by members of the Strauss dynasty (Johann Strauss I and II as well as Josef Strauss) including 7 premieres of works not previously heard at a New Year's Concert.