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Vienna Philharmonic's New Year Concert Sparks Price Controversy

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day Concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, featured Florence Price's music instead of Strauss.
The piece attributed to Price, "Rainbow Waltz," is the re-orchestrated version by Wolfgang Dörner.
Katherine Needleman notes the arrangement is listed as public domain in Austria, attributing it solely to Dörner.
The controversy includes critics calling the arrangement a forgery, underscoring concerns about Florence Price's representation and diversity in classical music.

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Story summary

The Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day Concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, featured Florence Price's music instead of Strauss.
The piece attributed to Price, "Rainbow Waltz," is the re-orchestrated version by Wolfgang Dörner.
Katherine Needleman notes the arrangement is listed as public domain in Austria, attributing it solely to Dörner.
The controversy includes critics calling the arrangement a forgery, underscoring concerns about Florence Price's representation and diversity in classical music.