Work: An der schönen blauen Donau (The Blue Danube), Op.314

The Hallé and conductor Stephen Bell usher in 2022 with a joyful Viennese concert of music by the Strauss family and other composers. 

The slow movement is gorgeous in an unashamedly romantic fashion and Morrison, some moments of uncertain intonation aside, gave a poetic rendition, at times fining his sound down to the most exquisite filigree of sound. 

An evening in which the piano – in some cases two, in others three – took centre-stage with members of the Osokins family.

Following the recipe of the New Year Concert from Vienna, the CBSO demonstrated their ability, but not much originality in this predictable programme. 

Christoph Altstaedt conducts the Ulster Orchestra in a charming programme of quintessentially Viennese music for New Year.