Schubert / Mahler Concert

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony is among Mr. Zander’s very favorite works, but, surprisingly, he and the orchestra haven’t performed it since 2008.  No one knows why Schubert failed to finish this symphonic torso of almost heavenly beauty (he lived for six more years after writing it), although speculation has been as endless as it is fruitless.  Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that it has deservedly become one of the most beloved works in the classical canon, and, after the Beethoven Fifth, the one that everybody recognizes.

Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth), Mahler's supreme creation for voice and orchestra and one of his most beloved works, is a setting of six Chinese poems in German translation that reflect preoccupations that Mahler held throughout his life: the transitory nature of earthly things, the intoxication of love, the horrifying irony with which death mocks all human endeavor, and the ultimate need for everyone to surrender his attachments to this world and accept what is to come. Neither Mahler nor anyone else ever composed music of more poignant beauty than the "Abschied" The soloists are among the world’s most celebrated performers of this work: mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, described by The Times of London as, "...[she] sang straight from the heart. I won’t forget her final Der Abschied: that cool flute and menacing double bass, then a voice of rich, lunar beauty lighting up this long farewell;” and tenor Stefan Vinke, who Bachtrack described as, "I don’t think there’s another tenor in the world who can hit the levels Vinke does and make it sound so casual."

MORE ABOUT DAS LIED VON DER ERDE

• The Boston Philharmonic last played Das Lied von der Erde in 2004. View the concert postcard from that performance here. 
• Listen to Benjamin Zander conduct Mahler Symphony No. 2 with the London Philharmonia and Dame Sarah Connolly. International Record praised Dame Sarah Connolly for her performance with the London Philharmonia:  “Not since Alfreda Hudson or Helen Watts have I heard the intimacy and rare beauty of this song communicated with such indelible vocal brushstrokes, nor the scarily exposed accompaniment hanging so beautifully on her every word.” 

This is a live concert that will be live-streamed! Be sure to read through our support page for Boston Philharmonic virtual events. Our Live Streams and On Demand events are viewable on computers, smartphones, and tablets. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to view these events on your television at this time.

Information for ticket buyers

• All Boston Philharmonic Orchestra concerts make use of a stage extension. This makes row E the first row directly in front of the stage. View Symphony Hall Seat Maps to see where the extension overlaps and where any viewer obstructions are located before you choose your seats.
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All dates, repertoire, venues, and artists subject to change.