Mahler 8

Repertoire

Mahler Symphony No. 8 (semi-staged) (80’) Listen

Performers

• Edward Gardner conductor
• Sarah Wegener soprano
• Emma Bell soprano
• Jennifer France soprano
• Christine Rice mezzo-soprano
• Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano
• Andreas Schager tenor
• Tomasz Konieczny bass-baritone
• Derek Welton bass-baritone
• London Philharmonic Choir
• London Symphony Chorus
• Tiffin Boys' Choir

Three choirs, eight starry singers and one of the largest orchestras ever put on stage: there’s a reason why Mahler’s Eighth is often called the ‘Symphony of a Thousand’.

The form of the piece, setting the candescent medieval poem Veni Creator Spiritus alongside the lyrical last scene of Goethe’s Faust is in itself radical and mysterious.

At the core of the piece is a vast choir who seem to represent the whole human race in a passionate prayer for change but Mahler imagined they stood for something even greater: ‘Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound,’ he challenged.

‘There are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving.’ Exaggeration? Judge for yourself. Mahler’s Eighth Symphony is quite simply one of the most overwhelming experiences that music has to offer.

This concert has been specially developed with the Southbank Centre, with further details to be announced. It is commissioned and produced by the Southbank Centre and London Philharmonic Orchestra