NDR Sinfonieorchester / Thomas Hengelbrock

Description

What better way to signal the opening of the first Hamburg International Music Festival than with a real piece of Hamburg´s musical history? On the programme is Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony in its original Hamburg version of 1893, performed for the first time using the new critical edition of the complete symphonies. Mahler was appointed first »Kapellmeister« at Hamburg’s Stadt-Theater in 1891, and although he had already presented the work publicly in Budapest in 1889, he added a new title, »Titan« to his »tone poem in symphonic form« for the first Hamburg performance. This title, inspired by Jean Paul, was accompanied by corresponding programmatic descriptions. Yet when the symphony’s score went into print a few years later, Mahler erased the title as well as the wonderful slow movement called »Blumine« (Floral Piece). Thomas Hengelbrock, celebrated chief conductor of the NDR Symphony Orchestra and well known for his intensive research of source material has chosen to bring back the original Hamburg version to the Festival. Together with the designated orchestra in residence of the Elbphilharmonie he also accompanies the sensitive Portuguese pianist, Maria João Pires. With her impeccable technique and highly sensitive playing, she demonstrates that true greatness does not necessarily need a »titanic« outward appearance.