Symphoniker Hamburg / Sylvain Cambreling

While Lachenmann engages with the physical process of writing – hovering between »scream« and »rubbing« – Mahler’s First Symphony, at times subtitled »Titan«, alludes to the literary works of Jean Paul. Each composition opens up its own sensual space for musical experience, situated between Romanticism and Modernism. Helmut Lachenmann’s »Schreiben« is regarded as a work that ventures not only into unexplored sonic territory, but also into uncharted conceptual realms. A master of experimental music, Lachenmann challenges listeners to perceive sound textures and noises as expressive tools in their own right. The piece reflects the creative process between »scream« and »rubbing«, demanding an intense, almost physically tangible engagement with the musical material – an artistic challenge the Symphoniker embrace with enthusiasm.

In the second half of the concert, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major takes center stage – a monumental work that marks both the beginning of Mahler’s exploration of the symphonic genre and a redefinition of the symphony in music history itself. In this visionary masterpiece, Mahler weaves together the sounds of nature, folk music, and symphonic tradition, placing the orchestra at the very heart of sonic exploration. The musical direction lies in the hands of chief conductor Sylvain Cambreling, who brings a refined sensitivity to the unique tonal colors evoked by both works. Together, these compositions form a program of new beginnings – inviting the audience on a journey through emotional contrasts and between familiar and as-yet-unexplored sound worlds.