»Rise again, yes, rise again thou wilt!« With spine-tingling optimism, the chorus at the end of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony highlights the work’s religiously and philosophically motivated core message. Performances of Mahler’s epic »Resurrection« Symphony are always an impressive event – and that not only in Hamburg, where the composer found inspiration in St. Michel Church for the choral finale. With this work of one and a half hours, chief conductor Alan Gilbert and his NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra have selected one of the largest-scale symphonies in the repertoire for the season’s opening concerts – which will feature well-known soloists and the combined power of two first-class choirs.
»This music feels as if you stick your finger in the electric socket and suddenly your hair stands on end.«
Alan Gilbert
Alan Glbert talks about Mahler’s Second Symphony
In the video podcast, Alan Gilbert and the Tagesschau presenter Michail Paweletz discuss auditions, flying batons and their shared love of music, as well as important social issues in the world today. The second episode is about Mahler’s great »Resurrection« Symphony.
Performers
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Christina Nilsson soprano
Sarah Connolly mezzosoprano
conductor Alan Gilbert
Programme
Gustav Mahler
Sinfonie No 2 C minor for soprano, alto, choir and orchestra »Resurrection Symphony«
