The annual New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is an unmissable part of the Austrian capital’s turn-of-the-year celebrations. And it will be taking place in 2021, too, albeit without an audience, but featuring live applause from all around the world instead.

And this year, music fans are invited to send their applause virtually (and ahead of time) for inclusion in the event, which is broadcast internationally (on stations like PBS) and attracts 40 million viewers in 90 countries worldwide.

Considered by some the most famous concert in the world, this year’s event will take place on Jan. 21, 2021, featuring Riccardo Muti, who will wield the conductor’s baton in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein.

“It would be unthinkable from an international perspective not to go ahead with the concert,” explained Director of the Vienna Philharmonic Daniel Froschauer in an interview with the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). “For me, the concert is a message we send out into the world.”

One new development, however, is that viewers around the world will have the chance to have their applause featured in the live broadcast.

After registering at www.mynewyearsconcert.com, the applause they record on their computer, tablet or smartphone will be audible on the ORF broadcast when it is relayed live from a sound system set up inside the Musikverein.

The year will be Muti’s sixth time in charge of the concert, having previously taken his place on the podium in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2018. The lighthearted and festive concert will feature pieces from the rich repertoires of Johann Strauss (father and son) and their contemporaries.