Richard Bratby

A euphoric meat-and-two-veg programme: Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich/Paavo Jarvi, at the Proms, reviewed

Plus: an irresistible Mikado, courtesy of Charles Court Opera

A formidable display of soft power: Paavo Jarvi conducting the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich at the Proms. Image: Andy Paradise

We used to call it a ‘meat and two veg’ programme, back in my concert planning days: the reliable set menu of an overture, a concerto and a symphony. It was an unfortunate term. No artistic planner likes to feel that they’re playing it safe, still less (and sources report that this goes double at the BBC) that they’re giving the public what they want.

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