BBC Prom 5: David Zinman, Tonhalle Orchestra, Beethoven, Strauss, Dvořák

Tonhalle Orchestra, conducted by David Zinman, plays Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel; Dvořák, Violin Concerto; Beethoven, Symphony No. 6. 

Three of the most charismatic works of the central European Romantic repertoire, all drenched in moreish, earthy folk melody, are performed by the Swiss Tonhalle, experts in this music.

Till Eulenspiegel is a charismatic tone poem telling the story of a mischievous German peasant hero. Full of vivid orchestral colour, which depicts Eulenspiegel’s irreverent, rambunctious, flirtatious behaviour, it’s one of Strauss’ most likeable, good-humoured works. Dvořák’s concerto, still one of the best loved of the classical repertoire, shows the Czech composer blending appealing Bohemian folk melody into his own, relaxed version of the classical concerto. The soloist is the German virtuoso Julia Fischer, famous for her ability to convey emotional subtlety. And Beethoven’s sixth symphony, his pastoral, evokes the merry, lush world of the German countryside, his typically brooding music infused with evocative rustic melody.

The acclaimed American conductor David Zinman has, during his 20 years with the Tonhalle orchestra, given this distinguished Swiss orchestra a sophisticated glossy sound. He is retiring at the end of the year; make the most of his experience while you can.