Program Notes

This evening’s concert marks the thirty-eighth presentation of a Viennese

New Year concert at the National Gallery. Richard Bales and the

National Gallery Orchestra presented the first on 2 January 1966. The

inspiration for these gala concerts is the concert that takes place in the

famous Musikverein in Vienna, a tradition that began in 1939. All those

who make their way to hear the Vienna Philharmonic play in that historic

hall on New Year’s Day enjoy an illustrious musical legacy, which

includes such giants as Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler, and the Strauss

family. Through the media of print, recordings, radio, and television, this

annual celebration of Viennese music has become a world-famous

musical event. The presence of the audience and its reaction to sublime

moments, favorite tunes, and musical jokes on stage are as important as

the players in this festive drama.

The spirit of this gala, joyful concert is perfect for a celebration of

the New Year. The familiar music evokes not only nostalgia for beauty

and happiness now past, but also offers energy, liveliness, humor, and

hope, as the music carries us, now whirling in a waltz, now pulsating in a

march, through the present time and into the future.

As the years have gone by, the Viennese concert at the National

Gallery has taken on the significance for Washington that the

Musikverein concert has for Vienna. It has proven to be one of the

Gallery’s most popular concerts, and it is offered as a heartfelt wish,

expressed in music, for a happy and prosperous New Year.

The use of cameras or recording equipment during

the performance is not allowed. Please he sure that cell

phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are turned off.

For the convenience ofconcert goers

the Garden Cafe remains open until 6:30 p.m.

The Sixty-second Season of

THE WILLIAM NELSON CROMWELL and

L. LAMMOT BELIN CONCERTS

National Gallery of Art

2479th Concert

NATIONAL GALLERY ORCHESTRA

PETER WILSON, guest conductor

MUSIC OF VIENNA

Sunday Evening, 4 January 2004

Seven O'clock

West Building, West Garden Court

Admission free
Program

Johann Strauss Jr.

(1825-1899)

Eduard Strauss

(1827-1916)

Josef Strauss

(1827-1870)

Johann Strauss Jr.

Johann Strauss Jr.

Overture to Die Fledermaus

op.297

Bahn frei (Clear Track)

Polka schnell, op. 45

Annen-Polka, op. 117

Jokey-Polka (Jockey Polka)

Polka schnell, op. 278

Im Krapfenwald (In the Krapf Woods)

Polka fran^ais, op. 336

Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz)

op. 437

Furiosa Polka, op. 260

Intermission

Par Force (By Force)

Polka schnell, op. 308

Rosen aus dem Siiden (Roses from the South)

Waltz, op. 388

Unter Donner und Blitz (Under Thunder and Lightning)

Polka schnell, op. 324

Johann Strauss Jr. and Josef Strauss Pizzicato-Polka

Johann Strauss Jr. Banditengalopp (Bandit’s Galop)

Polka schnell, op. 378

Emile Waldteufel

(1837-1915)

Les Patineurs (Skaters’ Waltz)

(1882)

Johann Strauss Jr. Perpetuum mobile (Perpetual Motion)

op. 257

The Musicians

First convened in 1942 with members of the National Symphony, the

National Gallery Orchestra has presented concerts at the National

Gallery on a regular basis ever since. In addition to performing a large

repertoire of classical and contemporary works, the orchestra has

presented world premiere performances of significant works by

nationally known composers, among them the First Symphony of Charles

Ives. From 1943 until 1985 the National Gallery Orchestra was

conducted by Richard Bales and from 1985 to 2003 by George Manos.

Peter Wilson appears for the third time as guest conductor of the

National Gallery Orchestra. His first guest appearance was at the

Gallery’s 2002 New Year Concert. A graduate of Northwestern

University and The Catholic University of America, Wilson is an

experienced conductor, violinist, chamber musician, and clinician. A

twelve-year veteran of “The President’s Own” United States Marine

Band, he has performed often at the White House as violin soloist,

chamber musician, and section leader.