Programme:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 6 in A minor (Tragic)

Cast:

Stanislav Kochanovsky – conductor

Mahler’s Sixth Symphony was created in the summer of 1904. The first performance was on May 27, 1906, in Essen by its author. It received the nickname “Tragic” right after the premiere, even though Mahler was composing this piece when he directed one of the world’s best opera houses (the Vienna State Opera), was happily married and was an expectant father. This composition is Mahler’s most subjective autobiography – exalted and expressive. He uses unusual instruments such as a cowbell or a hammer. The music may be full of grief, sadness, and pessimism, but it is expressed in the most enchanting way.

B4/ Nordic Music

This concert is performed by Edvard Grieg (Norweigan), Finn Kaija Saariaho (Finn), and Edward Elgar (English). The evening will be enriched by Grieg’s orchestral suites Peer Gynt that were created from the original scenic music of Ibsen’s drama. Ibsen asked Grieg himself to compose the music in 1874. Its premiere was two years later in Oslo, celebrated with ovations from the audience. The middle part of the concert is for cello compositions that will be performed by the competent German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser. First will be a cello concert by Edward Elgar, whose performance is one of the most extensive works of its kind. The second cello concert is younger by nearly a century, composed in 2006 by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho from Paris. Her music brings out every aspect of a female composer – colors, sensibility, gentleness, and lyricism. “My music is written for ears. There is no need to intellectualize it. Let yourself come in,” said the author herself.