APO Journey to the Heart of Mahler

A funeral-march opens Mahler’s fifth symphony while a triumphant rondo closes it; a reflection of a near-death experience at the podium and a passionate love affair that inspired the composer’s epic work, to be performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

The APO will perform the symphony at the Mahler 5 concert at the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®, 8pm on Thursday 7 August.

In 1901, 44-year-old Gustav Mahler was secretly engaged to Alma Schindler, a Viennese-born socialite nearly half his age. Earlier that year he collapsed at a rehearsal and almost bled to death. These events motivated Mahler to compose his symphonic journey, described as a victory of life over death.

“Mahler claimed a symphony should create a world, so we are delighted to paint for our audience this incredible musical narrative,” says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. “Mahler’s fifth is considered one of the composer’s most expansive and popular works, particularly the iconic Adagietto – Mahler’s hymn for Alma Schindler, for whom he felt a ‘superhuman love’”.

The immensely moving Adagietto was performed at Robert Kennedy’s funeral and famously used in Luchino Visconti’s film Death in Venice.

Mahler 5 is the sixth of the APN News & Media Premier Series concerts and will be conducted by young Ukrainian sensation Kirill Karabits. Karabits, whose performances with the APO last year were critically acclaimed, is the first Ukrainian to conduct a major UK symphony orchestra – the Bournemouth.

In addition to Symphony No. 5, the concert programme includes Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring the talents of Italian pianist Susanna Stefani Caetani. Bartók’s first piano concerto is a piece of pounding energy, punctuated by repeated notes of the brass and woodwind sections.

“Stefani Caetani is known for her electrifying playing, so her performance of Bartok is the perfect way to open this concert. Together with Mahler, this promises to be an evening of passion and high excitement,” says Ms Glaser.

Single tickets to Mahler 5 (from $20-$110) are available from Ticketek, Ph (09) 307 5139 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz.

Mahler 5 - APN News & Media Premier Series Concert 6
Thursday 7 August, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®