Mahler’s all-embracing symphony – a sublime vision of faith.
Special Notice: If you choose seats in the organ gallery, the choir will be placed in the stalls immediately in front of these seats. As such you will be viewing the choir from behind, and may experience sight-line obstructions while they are performing.
Mahler put everything into his Resurrection Symphony – not just his deepest convictions, his most ambitious ideas and the thunderbolts of inspiration, but an enormous orchestra and a huge chorus with vocal soloists.
It’s an all-embracing symphony, even the resurrection of the title goes beyond that of Christ to the rebirth of the spirit after death, the resurrection of us all. Through this symphony, Mahler questions why we live, why we suffer. The music ponders things that are dark and grotesque; it celebrates innocence and light.
Drawing from the folk songs of Des Knaben Wunderhorn (Youth’s Magic Horn), Mahler suggests the simplicity and faith of youth: “Dear God will give me light, will light me to eternal, blessed life!” And in the sublime finale – wild and solemn – death is overturned: “Thou shalt rise again…Immortal life!”
MAHLER Symphony No.2, Resurrection
Vladimir Ashkenazy conductor
Emma Matthews soprano
Michelle DeYoung mezzo-soprano
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Hear Principal Conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy and musicians of the orchestra talk about The Sydney Symphony's two-year Mahler cycle (2010 - 2011):
Pre-concert talk by Nicholas Carter in the Northern Foyer, 45 minutes before each performance
AUDIO PLAYER LISTING
Track 1 – MAHLER Symphony No.2 (Resurrection): 1st movement (opening)
Track 2 – MAHLER Symphony No.2 (Resurrection): 3rd movement (opening)
Track 3 – MAHLER Symphony No.2 (Resurrection): 4th movement (Urlicht)
Track 4 – MAHLER Symphony No.2 (Resurrection): 5th movement (conclusion)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Norma Proctor (contralto), Bavarian Radio Choir
conducted by Rafael Kubelik
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 463 738-2 (Mahler 10 Symphonies, DG boxed set)
Audio kindly supplied by Universal Music.
Mahler available for purchase.