The confusion between the Strausses of Vienna and those of Munich is unfounded and their rapprochement will only last for the duration of our New Year’s concert. A famous encore of the traditional Viennese concert, An der schönen blauen Donau (The Blue Danube) by Johann Strauss Jr. will open ours, preceding a second part reserved for the two Waltz Suites that Richard Strauss took from his opera Der Rosenkavalier. Composed after the completion of Salome’s Dance of the Seven Veils is a sort of potpourri of the opera’s main themes in an oriental atmosphere, ending in a frenetic and sensual manner.

The Concerto No. 3 in C major has travelled all the continents since its author, Serge Prokofiev, came to play it with our orchestra in 1923 under the direction of Ernest Ansermet. It has even become one’s new hobbyhorse of the piano repertoire.