Walter Cronkite hosts

Joshua Bell

Viewers can ring out the old year with a romantic performance by the New York Philharmonic and then, on New Year’s Day, ring in the new with a Great Performances concert from Vienna.

First, on New Year’s Eve, Live from Lincoln Center presents “New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve: Joshua Bell’s Romantic Violin” Monday, Dec. 31 at 8/7 p.m. CT on KET1. The Philharmonic’s music director, Lorin Maazel, conducts the orchestra in its annual New Year’s Eve gala concert in a program of romantic violin showpieces featuring Bell. Airing live from Avery Fisher Hall, the concert this year includes several arrangements for violin and orchestra: Kreisler’s “Liebesleid” and “Liebesfreud,” Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Ravel’s “Tzigane” and Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” The orchestra will also perform Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Ravel’s “Bolero.”

Then, Great Performances’ “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2008” airs Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 8/7 p.m. on KET1 and KET HD. Continuing its holiday tradition, Great Performances returns to Vienna’s Musikverein for its 24th annual New Year’s Day celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic.

In the program, Georges Prêtre leads the world-renowned orchestra in a selection of buoyant Strauss family waltzes. Also featured are festive ballets danced by the Vienna State Opera Ballet and an appearance of the famous Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School.

Live from Lincoln Center is produced by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Great Performances is produced by WNET/New York.