Mahler 5

This musical epic takes the listener on a journey to return from death to life – the trials overcome, the pains endured on the way to a final, beautiful ode to love. Bruch’s romantic Violin Concerto No. 1 makes for an excellent combination. With the outstanding Simone Lamsma, this is one of the highlights of the season. 

Former artist-in-residence Simone Lamsma is a star violinist. Tonight she will perform the enthralling Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch, which shines like a gemstone in this both dark and romantic time of the year. Mahler’s Fifth likewise tugs on our heartstrings: the composer wrote the world-famous Adagietto for this wife, Alma. Speaking on the subject, the composer said: “Every note is full of vitality and spins around as if in a whirlwind. There is nothing romantic or mystical about it, it is simply an expression of incredible energy. It is a human being in the full light of day, in the prime of their life.”