Symphony Concert V

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 2 in C minor ("Resurrection")

Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony is a monumental work of the repertoire, following in the footsteps of Beethoven's Ninth with vocal solos and chorus. With its five-movement structure and the many programmatic references Mahler made to his music, this Second Symphony is an opus of particular ambition, supported by an exceptionally large performance apparatus. The world and atmosphere of the ‘Wunderhorn’ songs are just as present as the tonal upswings characteristic of his symphonic style, culminating in a vision of ‘resurrection’ that is first mysterious and then glorious, conveyed through the words as well as the music.