I have just played the Valse Chevaleresque opus 96c [orchestra] glorious stuff and how refreshing that Sibelius could let his hair down [pardon the pun] and write a 'Viennese' Waltz' with the best of them! Apparently Aino loathed the piece and thought it the product of someone whose senses were sodden with champagne. Be this as it may, its surely proof that Sibelius could move away from the northlands dusky forests too the ballroom.
The Valse Chevaleresque would not be out of place in a Vienna Philharmonic Newyears day concert--what do you think?--kullervopete.

Sadly it seems that as yet we have no interest at all on this forum in Sibelius's 'Valse Chevaleresque'--Aino Sibelius would probably have been delighted. But is it really that bad?.--kullervopete.

I think the chances of our Viennese chums adding Sibb to the New Year's Day schedules are somewhat more remote than the chances of George W Bush and Osama bin Laden having a convivial knees-up at a cheap bar on the moon (though we might all be better off if these two gents took a trip there, without a return ticket).

But I applaud the basic thrust of your argument - I've never seen this piece in a concert programme. Why not go further and use all of the Op. 96 set - including the gorgeous Autrefois? Maybe that would be a good idea for an adventurous orchestra and conductor somewhere in central Europe, not a million miles from Vienna (hint, hint...)

Excellent idea Andrew. I have made my own thoughts on 'Autrefois' very clear elsewhere on the forum. Just as the Vienna Phil dont include the 'Valse Chevaleresque' in concert so the Three Tenors have never included a Sibelius song in their concerts. It would have been wonderful to hear something like 'Sav, sav, susa [Sigh, Sigh Sedges] from Six Songs opus 36. Language problems or apathy? Still I do seem to recall Carreras singing a Grieg song.--kullervopete.
Pavarotti will be missed.

Andrew B wrote:

(hint, hint...)

Code:

Kurki pencils in a few changes to traditional New Year's programme...