Gold und Silber

Besides operettas Franz Lehár also wrote sonatas, symphonic poems, marches and a number of waltzes. The most popular of these waltzes is 'Gold und Silber' (Gold and Silver) which he composed for Princess Pauline von Metternich's 'Gold and Silver Ball' in January 1902. When premiered, the waltz - in which Lehár evokes a sense of nostalgia mixed with celebration - seemed to make little impression on the crowd. But worldwide 'Gold und Silber' became immense popular and is even nowadays heard very often.