Mozart and Strauss Ein Heldenleben

Richard Strauss’ amazing ability to tell a story in music is on display in this concert. Till Eulenspiegel is a prankster who comes to sticky end (Strauss goes to town when Till’s exploits finally catch up with him). And in Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), Strauss appears to be the hero of his own story, with quotations from his other works scattered throughout the score.

Mozart not only composed his Violin Concerto No 5 at the age of only 19, but it was the fifth he had written within nine months. It travels from elegant start to graceful slow movement, with some remarkable instrumental effects in the finale.