Mischief at the Season Finale
- News
By Avi Bhatt
If there’s one thing I have an appreciation for, it’s good storytelling. And Richard Strauss knew how to tell a story. By 1895, he had already dazzled audiences with grand operas and bold orchestral works. But with Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, he loosened his collar, sharpened his wit, and let mischief take the reins.
Strauss was always drawn to storytelling through music. He originally thought about making Till Eulenspiegel an opera or a stage play, but instead, he distilled the entire legend into a single orchestral piece, a tone poem that unfolds like a tightly choreographed comedy. Honestly, Strauss had me at ‘storytelling through music.’
Till Eulenspiegel, the piece’s protagonist, is a folk legend—part-time rogue, part-time social critic, and a full-time trickster. Let’s just say he stays busy. He prances through 16th-century German literature with a grin and a knack for chaos. He mocks authority, fools the self-important, and always slips away before the consequences catch up to him. His antics range from harmless pranks to outright satire, exposing the hypocrisy of scholars, clergymen, and nobility.
Gwen's violin leads the mischief for one last unforgettable adventure with the WSO. Photo by Mark Rash.
Strauss packs Till’s escapades—misadventures, really—into a piece that’s about fifteen minutes long. Here’s how I imagine it. A sly French horn theme announces Till’s presence, tumbling through the orchestra like an acrobat, ducking beneath violins, winking through woodwinds. The strings skitter, the brass erupts in rude outbursts, and the whole affair unfolds like a perfectly choreographed prank. Unpredictable, yet never sloppy.
But the fun can’t last forever, and the law inevitably catches up. The music shifts. Darkens. The prankster is caught, sentenced, and led to the gallows. A sudden crash marks the end of his mischief, followed by an eerie silence. The rogue is gone.
Or is he? A familiar phrase returns, a whisper of that mischievous melody…
Concert-goers can experience Till’s antics at the WSO’s 2024/25 season finale, Celebrating Gwen Hoebig, on Saturday, May 10, or Sunday, May 11. Come hear it for yourself. I’d love to know what you think. The two performances will mark the end of Gwen’s incredible 37-year tenure as WSO Concertmaster, featuring performances alongside her musical family. With Gwen’s violin leading the charge, Till Eulenspiegel will bring a whimsical end to this special evening.
Avi Bhatt (he/him) is the Communications Specialist for the WSO.
