Prom 45 - 18.08.17: Mahler – ‘Resurrection’ Symphony

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Friday 18 August 2017
Royal Albert Hall

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 2 in C minor 'Resurrection'

Elizabeth Watts soprano
Elisabeth Kulman mezzo-soprano
The Bach Choir
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor

In this season's second Mahler symphony, the composer wrestles with the essential questions of humanity in a work that took over six years to complete. Faith, mortality and the hope of resurrection are the subject of this epic musical exploration, which culminates in a glowing, transcendent choral finale.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and its Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo are joined by soloists Elizabeth Watts and Elisabeth Kulman as well as the combined forces of the BBC Symphony Chorus and the Bach Choir for a work whose scale and scope come into their own in the Royal Albert Hall.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Perhaps it would be possible to do a complete Mahler cycle within a Proms season, without it dominating everything else? Just a thought.

[seabright]

I wonder if there's anyone here who, in their much younger Promming days, remember the Proms Premiere of the work with Stokowski and Janet Baker? ... She was absolutely glorious, as was soprano Rae Woodland. Luckily the broadcast was issued on CD ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv1HMlTU0R0

[zola]

Perhaps it would be possible to do a complete Mahler cycle within a Proms season, without it dominating everything else? Just a thought.

To be followed by a year without any Mahler at all. Just a thought.

[vinteuil]

To be followed by a year without any Mahler at all. Just a thought.

... such a good idea. I think we shd have a year of Proms with no Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mahler, Bruckner, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Handel, Strauss, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, or any other 'big name' ....

[pastoralguy]

... such a good idea. I think we shd have a year of Proms with no Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mahler, Bruckner, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Handel, Strauss, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, or any other 'big name' ....

A perfect opportunity for the complete symphonies of George Lloyd!

[vinteuil]

A perfect opportunity for the complete symphonies of George Lloyd!

... ah, I shd have realized there wd be a down-side even to the best-intentioned plan.


.

[Bryn]

... ah, I shd have realized there wd be a down-side even to the best-intentioned plan.


.

[seabright]

... ah, I shd have realized there wd be a down-side even to the best-intentioned plan.


.

Hmmm ... It could have been the complete symphonies of Havergal Brian ;)

[EdgeleyRob]

... such a good idea. I think we shd have a year of Proms with no Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mahler, Bruckner, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Handel, Strauss, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, or any other 'big name' ....

[Stanfordian]

Hmmm ... It could have been the complete symphonies of Havergal Brian ;)

Played by the world's top orchestras. Imagine the Berlin Philharmonic playing the Symphony No. 3 and the Concertgebouw the Symphony No. 7.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Played the world's top orchestras. Imagine the Berlin Philharmonic playing the Symphony No. 3 and the Concertgebouw the Symphony No. 7.

Why not all the world's top orchestras playing No 1???

[Maclintick]

Why not all the world's top orchestras playing No 1???

Marvellous idea, if somewhat "off-topic" -- but the clinching factor in this work (HB's, not GM's) isn't the orchestral contribution, which is easily manageable by modern professional ensembles accustomed to playing much more challenging material, but the choruses, which should be huge & amateur-sounding i.e. fresh & non-wobbly, yet able to surmount the difficulties, which are considerable...Sorry ! Back to GM2...

[BBMmk2]

Looking forward to this Prom. Massive choir as well, The Bach Choir and BBC Symphony Chorus. Nor sure of Oramo's Mahler credentials though?

[Petrushka]

Nor sure of Oramo's Mahler credentials though?

Nor am I in all honesty but I'll be in the hall regardless. I've no recollection of him taking on Mahler during his time with the CBSO but surely he must have done. Whatever, the case, Oramo is a fine conductor while the BBCSO is in tip-top form these days so I'm anticipating a great evening.