Without Mahler’s Second Symphony, the classical music world would not only be poorer for the loss of a monumental work – one of the greatest conductors might also have chosen a different path in life had he not heard the »Resurrection Symphony« as a child, as Sir Simon Rattle admitted in an interview.
»You will rise again, yes, you will rise again!« At the end of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony, the choir delivers the work’s religiously and philosophically motivated core message with moving optimism. To this day, performances of this monumental »Resurrection Symphony« are an impressive event – not only in Hamburg, where the composer once had the inspiration for the choral finale in St. Michael’s Church. Sir Simon Rattle presents this mammoth work with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir. In addition, Old English verses are heard in Henry Purcell’s »Remember Not Lord Our Offences« and Robert Schumann’s wistful setting of Friedrich Hebbel’s »Nachtlied« (Night Song).
Performers
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Louise Alder soprano
Beth Taylor mezzo-soprano
conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Programme
Henry Purcell
Remember Not Lord Our Offences, Z 50
Robert Schumann
Nachtlied for Mixed Choir and Orchestra, Op. 108
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 2 in C minor for Soprano, Alto, Choir and Orchestra »Resurrection Symphony«
