Of Love, Death and Beyond:
Exploring Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony
When Gustav Mahler began his Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” in 1888 he was a 27 year old itinerant conductor and virtually unknown as a composer. But by the time of its first complete performance in December 1895, Mahler was an increasingly celebrated maestro, having advanced his career with a combination of talent, cunning and sheer will. His own compositions however were either ignored or reviled. Continue Reading »
The history of art is infused with stories about brilliant young poets, composers or painters dying in obscurity at a tragically early age, their work remaining unknown for generations. Such was the provenance of a recently discovered oratorio, a huge composition over two hours in length for a large orchestra, two mixed choruses, chamber choir, boys’ choir, five vocal soloists, organ and off-stage brass. 
Richard Strauss once boasted that he could depict a stein of beer in music. Imagine: the effervescent froth, the cool condensation on the handle and mug, the malty flavor and inebriated camaraderie, all through his command of orchestral effect. 
