The Full Works Concert: Friday 13 March 2015, 8pm

Tonight's Great Orchestras is the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich, playing Second Symphonies by Brahms and Schumann and Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto.

The Tonhalle Orchester, based in Zurich, Switzerland, has its roots in a number of ensembles dating back to the 1600s. In 1812, these ensembles consolidated into a single organisation which included the formation of an orchestra that performed occasionally through the year. In 1861, the Swiss Music Festival was held in Zurich and, after the Festival was over, the people of Zurich wanted their orchestra to become a permanent fixture. The Orchesterverein was founded in 1865 as the city's first permanent orchestra. The Tonhalle Orchester followed in 1868.

In 1947, Zurich formalised performances of concerts for young people by the orchestra, as part of the agreements for city funding and subsidy of the orchestra. More recently, during the chief conductorship (1995-2014) of David Zinman, the orchestra established a series of late-evening concerts that combine shorter-length symphonic concerts with socializing afterwards.

During his tenure, Zinman introduced elements of historically-informed performance into the orchestra's playing style and greatly expanded its recording presence. 

Tonight we hear Zinman conducting the orchestra in works by Beethoven, Schumann, Hummel and Brahms.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio – Overture
David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich

Robert Schumann: Symphony No.2 in C major (‘Rhenish’)
David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich 

Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major
Trumpet: Jeffrey Segal
David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D major
David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich