The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, like the Dallas Symphony, is kicking off the new year this weekend. But Fort Worth, unlike Dallas, is hewing to symphonic tradition, with heavyweight Brahms and Wagner rather than Viennese bonbons.

The concerts in Bass Performance Hall are under the direction of a guest maestro, Klauspeter Seibel. He was impressive on Friday night, leading a subtle, smooth-flowing performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 that might have persuaded some that this is the composer’s greatest work in the form (the third movement is arguably Brahms’ most beautiful; the others are lovely as well). A noble performance of Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser rounded out the program.

There was one disappointment: Mozart’s great Prague Symphony was omitted from the program to make it fit FWSO’s “short Friday” format. It will go back in on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Judging by Friday night’s performance, it would almost certainly be worth the trip back over.