Mahler Symphony 2 ‘Auferstehung’

Alain Altinoglu

Apocalyptic trumpets. An organ. A large symphony orchestra and ditto chorus. An additional Fernorchester. Bells. Vocal soloists. That is all you need to perform Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 2. The scope of the means betrays the ambition of the message: It is not life’s hardships and setbacks that will have the last word, not misery and fear, not even death. Humankind is capable of overcoming itself and mortality. 

From the grim Totenfeier march of the opening movement to the euphoric ecstasy of the final chorus, this Auferstehungssymphonie will keep listeners under its spell for an hour and a half. Performed under the impassioned baton of music director Alain Altinoglu, on 1 October it will make for an impressive start to the Mahler cycle presented by the La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra, the Belgian National Orchestra and Bozar over the next two seasons in Brussels. 

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