Ashkenazy conducts Mahler's last, unfinished symphony and the premiere of a joyous new concerto for two pianos.
When Mahler died he left behind one movement and pages of sketches for his final symphony, with instructions that it all be burned. But his wishes were ignored, and since the 1960s orchestras have had the choice of performing one of several completions. These “Mahler 10” completions are the work of scholar-composers who’ve spent decades pondering the question: What would Mahler do?
So what will Ashkenazy do? For these concerts he has chosen the completion by Rudolf Barshai as one that powerfully identifies with Mahler’s spirit and intentions.
When pianists Pascal and Ami Rogé decided to commission a concerto to celebrate their wedding, Australian Matthew Hindson seemed an obvious choice of composer. Ami praises the “visual” character of Hindson’s music; Pascal admires the way it speaks directly to the heart, to listeners.
The new concerto promises to bring a spirit of joy to the first half of the concert, with music that’s colourful, affectionate, and even a little bit theatrical.
HINDSON Concerto for two pianos world premiere
MAHLER Symphony No.10 (Barshai completion)
Vladimir Ashkenazy conductor
Ami Rogé piano
Pascal Rogé piano
Pre-concert talk by Scott Davie in the Northern Foyer, 45 minutes before each performance
Hear Pascal and Ami Rogé perform in a duo recital on 16 May.
AUDIO PLAYER LISTING
Track 1 – MAHLER Symphony No.10: Andante – Adagio (excerpt)
Track 2 – MAHLER Symphony No.10: Andante – Adagio (excerpt)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Kubelik (1969)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 463 738-2
Listen to short excerpts from the Barshai completion here.
Audio kindly supplied by Universal Music.
Mahler available for purchase here.