Thursday 05 September 2019

Chief conductor Edward Gardner has massive powers at his disposal when he opens the season with Gustav Mahler's boundary-breaking and visionary symphony about the universe and humanity's struggle for eternal salvation.

Mahler's gigantic and monumental resurrection symphony addresses humanity's great questions – life, death and the afterlife, faith and love. The visionary symphony moves from darkness to light, and from death to hope, to life and resurrection. "You are knocked to the ground and then lifted up to the highest peaks on angel wings", the composer himself is said to have said of the work. If Mahler doubted an all-powerful god, he perhaps believed more in the redemptive power of love. In a humanistic perspective, resurrection can be understood here as rising from the dead to enter and participate fully in life here and now.

Edward Gardner leads a large orchestra, two singing soloists, three choirs, church bells, organ and a separate ensemble behind the stage. This is also a rare opportunity to hear the versatile Lise Davidsen sing the alto part "Urlicht".