Zirkus, Polka schnell, Op. 110

Program notes

About the Work

Zirkus (‘Circus’) is a fast polka by Philipp Fahrbach the Younger, played at the New Year’s Concert for the first time in 2026, as the first, unannounced encore. The piece comes from the broad world of Viennese dance music that flourished around and alongside the Strauss dynasty, where many capable composers supplied the city’s tireless appetite for waltzes and polkas. Its title promises exactly the right spirit for a polka schnell: the bustle, sparkle, and high-spirited fun of the circus ring, all conjured in a brisk and breathless dance. As an encore, it lands at the point in the programme where the mood turns most exuberant, and its novelty adds an extra frisson of delight. Reviving a forgotten piece like this is part of the New Year’s Concert’s quiet mission to refresh and expand its beloved repertoire.

What to Listen For

This is a polka schnell, so expect speed and sparkle. Listen for the circus atmosphere Fahrbach paints: perky woodwind figures, bright brass fanfares, and a sense of acrobatic bustle, perhaps even a hint of fairground colour. The dance races along with the usual contrasting trio in the middle before the opening material whirls back for a brisk, applause-courting finish. A delightful rediscovery to set the festive mood.