DayFR Euro

Fifteen Molfetta – Great anticipation for the New Year’s concert from Vienna, directed by Maestro Riccardo Muti, originally from Molfetta

Great anticipation for the New Year’s concert from Vienna, directed by Maestro Riccardo Muti, originally from Molfetta

This year a historical novelty: for the first time the forgotten work of a woman Constanze Geiger (1835-1890), contemporary composer of the famous Johann Strauss, will be performed

Maestro Riccardo Muti


MOLFETTA – There is great anticipation for the New Year’s Concert at the Musikverein in Vienna, conducted by the Maestro Riccardo Mutioriginally from Molfetta, which will bring a historical novelty: for the first time the forgotten work of Constanze Geiger (1835-1890), a contemporary composer of the famous Johann Strauss, will be performed. Her waltz, entitled “Waltz Ferdinandus”, will be the opening piece of the musical program on January 1, 2025, and will represent the first piece composed by a woman (composed when she was only 12 years old) to be performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, directed for the seventh time by Muti.
Muti, after the success of the Christmas concert in the Senate of the Republic, chose “Waltz Ferdinandus” not because it was written by a woman, but for its “artistic value”. During the press conference in Vienna, the Maestro from Molfetta underlined that his decision is based exclusively on the quality of the music, without gender considerations. However, many Austrian media, such as the Kleine Zeitung, noted that a “female” waltz had never been included in the program of this prestigious concert.
Constanze Geiger thus becomes the first female composer to enter the history of an event which, for 84 years, saw only works by male composers performed. Geiger’s waltz, described by Muti as a “very beautiful piece” and with “great personality”, will therefore be the main novelty of the 85th edition of the concert, which will be broadcast live in almost 100 countries from the famous Sala d’Oro of Musikverein.
The 2025 program, as reported by the Kleine Zeitung, will pay homage to Johann Strauss fils, central figure of Viennese music, on the occasion of the bicentenary of his birth. Eight pieces from the “King of the Waltz” will be performed, as well as the traditional encore of the “Danube Waltz”, along with compositions by his father and brothers, Josef and Eduard Strauss. Although Muti reiterates that his direction does not depend on the gender of the composer, the inclusion of Geiger’s waltz is seen by many as a significant step towards gender equality in musical programming. For Muti, and not only, “music is the best medicine for the soul”, and today more than ever, there is a great need for it. © All rights reserved

-

Related News :