Guess why Mahler's Eighth Symphony is called "Symphony of a Thousand"? Yes, because if performed with the composer's vision realized, you need a thousand (and then some) musicians, most of them choir singers. This is not very practical, and explains why the Philadelphia Orchestra has only programmed the work three times since it was written in 1906. The first performance, in 1916, was the spectacular American premiere, an event that made the orchestra's international reputation, under the direction of their glamorous new music director, Leopold Stokowski. It is, today, almost never played with so many participants, but even at half that number, you get quite a glorious sound. The chance to hear this sublime music live is rare, perhaps once in lifetime. These performances mark the culmination of Christoph Eschenbach's multi-year Mahler festival, surely the most important legacy of his short, strange tenure as music director.
Thu.-Sat., May 1-3, 8 p.m., $10-$123, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, philorch.org.
`Ummmm, Pat? Could you please point out the veiled threats and sideways insults in Mr. Marris' comments? I only see a man who puts himself in great danger ` »
`It always amazes me that the people who are the least educated always have the most to say. The most interesting in reading this is my brother would ` »
`Mr Marris,
If you are so interested in changing the public perception of people in your line of work maybe you shouldn't make veiled threats and sideways ` »
`Ugly American:
I fully understand the meaning of the term. One does not have to be traveling abroad to portray themselves as loud, arrogant, demeaning, ` »
`pat76, I am truly sorry that you feel that way. Part of my job though is insuring freedom. And that means your feedom of speech and the right to your ` »
`I'm not sure you understand the term "ugly" American. I just don't think this is the time or place to discuss the present wars or the use of mercenaries ` »
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article.