Welcome to "Intermezzo" — where we take a few minutes to bounce some ideas around about classical music.
This week, Christy is joined by none other than Till Eulenspiegel — a prankster from German folklore and the mischief-making star of Richard Strauss’s "Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks."
Till manages to stir up a lot of trouble in just a single day. After thumbing his nose at professors and tripping the townsfolk, Till skips away without a care in the world.
But soon, he comes to a stop, looks around, and realizes something — he has no friends. He sits down in the dirt, lost in thought. "Is this all there is to life? Getting joy out of making other people miserable?" he wonders.
A slow smile spreads across his face. But no, he’s not reflecting on how to become a better person. Quite the opposite.
“Maybe I just need to try harder!” he declares. "Not at becoming noble, but at creating the most outrageous prank yet."
Till jumps into action. Then, inexplicably, he plunges face-first into a mud puddle, rubbing the mud all over himself. He looks at his reflection in a nearby pond: "I look just like my old donkey!" he laughs.
Now on all fours, Till gallops toward the marketplace, braying like a donkey. He's gross... covered in mud, knocking over people, animals and entire produce stands in a frenzy of laughter.
And then — darkness.
Till has been captured. Someone has thrown him into a burlap sack. He can hear the angry crowd outside. Has justice finally come for Till Eulenspiegel? Who has managed to catch the uncatchable trickster?
You’ll have to tune in tomorrow for the dramatic conclusion of Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks by Richard Strauss.
If you want to hear more music that screams trickster, try Julius Fucik's "Entry of the Gladiators," sometimes called "Entry of the Clowns."
Submit your answer to today’s question
Hear today's full episode by clicking "Listen" above. And instead of a quiz this week, Christy has an invitation. Are you interested in being one of her weekly cohosts on Intermezzo next season?
If so, and you're between the ages of 8 and 18, text us a short video (just 1-2 minutes) of yourself talking about something you're really interested in!
Are you an expert on bugs? Do you like Greek myths? Do you have a collection or a special talent? You can talk about anything in your video and it doesn't have to be related to music. When you're finished, text it to 833.490.4718. By texting your answer, you agree to receive follow-up messages from IPR.
Christy L'Esperance is the host and producer of Intermezzo.
Thanks to our cohost, Till Eulenspiegel.
Scott Clemens is IPR's Digital Content Producer.
