More about your concert
Your evening with us doesn't have to start in the concert hall. Discover our introductory events around your concert visit - live or online.
To find out which concerts will feature accompanying events, please see the concert calendar.
Introduction – the classic
For those who would like to know more about the works performed, there are spoken introductions to several concerts each season. Musicologists talk about the compositions and the period in which they were written, and explain the musical and historical context. Sound samples will get you in the mood for the programme.
The Introduction begins 45 minutes before the concert and lasts 20 to 30 minutes. It takes place at the Kleine Tonhalle.
We offer an introduction at the following concerts:
Paavo Järvi dirigiert «Fidelio»
Paavo Järvi dirigiert «Fidelio»
Kian Soltani mit Dvořáks Cellokonzert
Kian Soltani mit Dvořáks Cellokonzert
Paavo Järvi und Igor Levit
NEW: Paavo Järvi and Kirill Gerstein
Paavo Järvi mit Bruckner
Paavo Järvi mit Bruckner
Herbert Blomstedt mit Berwald
Herbert Blomstedt mit Berwald
Short introductions
You want to go to the concert well prepared with the most important facts about the programme? We have designed the new short introduction for you, in which the most important facts about the works performed are presented briefly, compactly and clearly.
The short introduction begins 30 minutes before the concert and lasts 15 minutes. It takes place in the concert foyer.
We offer a short introduction at the following concerts:
Jan Willem de Vriend – Mozart, Bach und Schubert
Jan Willem de Vriend – Mozart, Bach und Schubert
Herbert Blomstedt dirigiert Bruckner
Herbert Blomstedt dirigiert Bruckner
Freundeskreis-Konzert «Carmina Burana»
«Carmina Burana»
Hilary Hahn spielt Sibelius
Hilary Hahn spielt Sibelius
Janine Jansen spielt Bernstein
Janine Jansen spielt Bernstein
Martin Grubinger am Schlagzeug
Martin Grubinger am Schlagzeug
Omer Meir Wellber mit Prokofjew
Omer Meir Wellber mit Prokofjew
Freundeskreis-Konzert
Antoine Tamestit spielt Berlioz
Intro – the audio introduction
A short talk about the compositions of the concert or with the artists of the evening - these are the audio introductions by and with our dramaturge Ulrike Thiele.
With the Intro, you can prepare for the concert in peace at home – or even shortly before, on your way there. It provides background information on the works in the evening's programme, curiosities or key musical moments.
One week before the concert, the intro is available online. You can listen to all the intros of the current season here.
Surprise with ZHdK students
Five times each season, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) students provide a musical introduction to the concert.
These half-hour chamber music «pre-programmes» refer to the works performed at the concert itself.
The introductions start at 6.30 p.m at the Kleine Tonhalle. They will take place at the following concerts:
Debüt von Cristian Măcelaru
Omer Meir Wellber mit Prokofjew
Prélude – Introduction to contemporary music
Let us smooth the way to fascinating new works in the repertoire. At our Préludes, we familiarise you with a specific work from the evening programme. Presenters from SRF 2 Kultur moderate discussions with the composer or performers, and music students from Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) present excerpts.
The Préludes begin at 6 p.m. in the Kleine Tonhalle and last for one hour. They will take place at the following concerts:
Galakonzert Freundeskreis
SONIC MATTER – Carte blanche
Finale – Interaction after the concert
Listen to expert opinions immediately after the concert, hear descriptions of personal experiences in the artistic process, and learn more about future projects of the artists and guest speakers.
After the concert, Executive and Artistic Director Ilona Schmiel receives the conductor, soloist, composer or other guest together with concertgoers for a discussion.
The finale starts directly after the concert in the concert foyer and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Hilary Hahn spielt Sibelius
Debüt von Cristian Măcelaru
Martin Grubinger am Schlagzeug
Omer Meir Wellber mit Prokofjew
Omer Meir Wellber mit Prokofjew
Freundeskreis-Konzert
Tours before the concert
At our orchestra concerts on Wednesdays, you can discover the history and architecture of the Tonhalle Zurich with your ticket.
Information on registration and other public and individual tours can be found here.
Digital programme booklets
As of this season, our programme booklets are only available in digital form (with the exception of selected concerts). You will find the programme booklet as a PDF one week before the concert on the respective concert page or here in collected form. Printed programme sheets will be handed out free of charge before the concert.
