Even in the dark days when the music of Gustav Mahler was not widely appreciated, there was one piece which never failed with listeners – the evocative Adagietto for strings and harp from his Fifth Symphony. It's a lovely piece of course, but by far the best way to hear it is in its original context, as part of the vast emotional journey which takes us from the funeral-march first movement and through the stormy second movement right up to – well, terms like 'triumphal conclusion' don't really do justice to the ending Mahler has prepared for us.
On April 5th we will be playing the complete work. This is a piece which calls for a larger than usual orchestra, a piece which stretches every player to the limit, technically and artistically. To lead us up this musical Everest we are delighted to welcome back Mahler specialist Kenneth Woods, who also leads us in Schubert's Third Symphony. Composed when Schubert was just 18, Schubert's characteristic subtlety and charm are very much there.
The concert will be on Saturday 5th April 2014, in our usual venue, the Evans Theatre in Wilmslow Leisure Centre, and at our usual time of 7.45 pm.
Tickets priced £10 (under 18s £2) are available from Bang & Olufsen, the ticket secretary on 01925 756144 or on the door.
For further information visit www.wilmsloworchestra.co.uk.
Member post by Dermot Gault.
