Anja Bihlmaier, Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, once again leads the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Mahler's symphony exemplifies Bihlmaier's thoughts on the conductor's work: “Music is about emotions, it's up to us to translate all that wonderful repertoire as engagingly as possible.”
Composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann's political views blocked his path onto concert stages in National Socialist Germany. His Concerto Funebre was composed in the ominous atmosphere that foreshadowed the Second World War. Violinist Veronika Eberle's international career began in 2006 when Sir Simon Rattle invited her to be the Berlin Philharmonic's soloist at the Salzburg Easter Festival.
Though greatly revered during his lifetime as a conductor, Gustav Mahler has really only received his due recognition since the Second World War. On setting to work on his Symphony no. 1 in the 1880s, he originally called it a Symphonic Poem. After its premiere in Budapest in 1889 it acquired the name The Titan, alluding to the novel of the same name by Jean Paul. Not until 1896 did Mahler finally call it a Symphony, at the same time reducing the number of movements from five to four by deleting the second, Blumine.
Before its premiere he had told a friend it had elements that would undoubtedly puzzle his audience, and it does indeed reflect his “maximal” aesthetic in all its diversity.
Before its premiere he had told a friend it had elements that would undoubtedly puzzle his audience, and it does indeed reflect his “maximal” aesthetic in all its diversity. In addition to echoes of Beethoven and Schubert it has features that point more to the Modernism of the 20th century than to Late Romanticism. It also borrows themes from his Lieder eines fahrenden Geselle song cycle and is characterized by youthful optimism and a delicate, pantheistic feeling for nature.
Mahler described the first movement as nature awakening, complete with trilling birds and brass-band fanfares. The second is reminiscent of a folk dance with an idyllic trio, the third a funeral march inspired by a cartoon of forest beasts bearing the body of a huntsman to his grave and assigning the main theme to a double bass. The finale is passionate and stormy and ends on a jubilant note.
Yes, but only before or after the concert. During the concert we just want you to enjoy the music. This way you won’t disturb the musicians or other audience members.
Only the orchestra has a dress code. You can dress as you like.
You can give the ticket to a friend or donate it to a music student by calling 09-3102 2700 or sending an e-mail to helsinki.philharmonic@hel.fi by 3pm on the day of the concert.
