Two Sides of Vienna by Lehár, Strauss, Eduard, Strauss II, Mahler, ol. 15 ira. 2023, Noiztik (2023/2023), Zuzendaria Leon Botstein, Fisher Center, Annandale, United States

Music Director Leon Botstein opens TŌN’s ninth season with a concert juxtaposing two distinct styles of Viennese music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the vibrant and festive melodies of Franz Lehár and the Strauss brothers, and Mahler’s beautifully tragic Sixth Symphony. The concert opens with an overture of music from Lehár’s well-known 1905 operetta The Merry Widow, which was compiled in 1940 for the Vienna Philharmonic in celebration of the composer’s 70th birthday. This is followed by two dance pieces: Eduard Strauss’ train-themed polka Bahn frei!, and his brother Johann Jr.’s majestic Emperor Waltz, written to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the crowning of Emperor Franz Josef. After intermission, the program explores a contrasting style from the same era with Mahler’s deeply personal and darkly passionate Symphony No. 6.