Florence Price's 'Rainbow Waltz' at Center of Vienna Philharmonic Forgery Scandal
The inclusion of Florence Price, the first Black woman in the United States to compose a symphony, in the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day Concert on January 1, 2026, was hailed as a landmark moment for diversity in classical music. Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the event traditionally features works by Strauss, but Price's Rainbow Waltz was programmed to symbolize a shift toward broader repertoire. However, a growing row now questions whether the piece performed was truly Price's creation or a forgery that undermines her legacy.
Allegations of Forgery and Erasure of Musical Identity
Musicologist John Michael Cooper, a leading expert on Florence Price, has labeled the version of Rainbow Waltz performed by the Vienna Philharmonic as a "forgery". The arrangement by Wolfgang Dörner, credited on Sony's album of the concert, allegedly bears little resemblance to Price's original solo piano work. Cooper argues that Dörner's re-orchestration added an introduction and stripped away recognizable themes, harmonies, and structures unique to Price's composition.
Price's music is celebrated for blending spirituals, early blues, jazz influences, and classical traditions, creating a distinctive sound that reflects her heritage. Critics contend that Dörner's version ironed out these elements, resulting in a pure Viennese pastiche that dilutes Price's artistic voice. This has sparked debates about whether the inclusion was merely tokenistic, aimed at diversity without embracing the authentic differences in her music.
Copyright and Attribution Issues Compound the Controversy
Further complicating the scandal, oboist and blogger Katherine Needleman revealed discrepancies in attribution. While the concert program and Sony's album credit Florence Price, the Austrian copyright agency AKM lists the piece as public domain, with only Wolfgang Dörner named as the arranger. This raises questions about transparency and whether listeners are misled into believing they are experiencing Price's original work.
The Vienna Philharmonic's chairman, Daniel Froschauer, acknowledged in a statement to die Presse on February 6 that Dörner "took somewhat greater liberties" but insisted there was no intent to mislead. He expressed hope that the discussion could lead to learning opportunities for the orchestra and the classical music community.
Responses from Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Expert Recommendations
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a prominent champion of Price's music, defended the arrangement in a statement to Slipped Disc, emphasizing that different versions of Rainbow Waltz can help reach diverse audiences. He highlighted Valerie Coleman's upcoming arrangement for the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2027 as an example of alternative interpretations. However, when pressed for further comment by the BBC, Nézet-Séguin declined to elaborate.
Experts urge listeners to seek out authentic recordings of Price's work to appreciate her genius fully. Recommendations include Nézet-Séguin's recordings of her symphonies, such as the Third Symphony, and the original Rainbow Waltz for piano performed by Kevin Wayne Bumpers. This controversy underscores ongoing challenges in classical music regarding representation, authenticity, and the preservation of marginalized composers' legacies.
