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• Although Mahler began to work on his second symphony just before the first one was finished, it still took him seven years to complete it due to his job as a conductor at the opera house. Mahler was inspired by the sacred hymn “Resurrection” by German poet Klopstock which he heard on the funeral of good friend and great conductor of the 19th century Hans von Bülow in March, 1894. The composer later incorporated the text into the fifth movement. The value of life shown via resurrection and Mahler’s personal view of the universe is presented through the comparison between the grand and layered fifth movement and the funeral march in the first movement. When the words “Arise, yes, you will arise from the dead,/My heart, in an instant!/What you have conquered/Will bear you to God.” are sung, the simultaneous feeling of shock and fullness is sure to impress the audience present.

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Thematic Concerts VI - "Friends from Switzerland"

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Symphony of Voice and Sentiment VII - "Radek Baborák meets NTSO"

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• At just 18 years old, Baborak became the principal horn player of the Czech Philharmonic, and later was the principal horn player of the Berlin Philharmonic for eight years. Master conductor Seiji Ozawa is known to have praised him to be a “French horn prodigy”. This time, Baborak joins NTSO in two classic horn concertos. Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.2 in E-flat Major was composed for natural horns (with no keys or valves), and challenges the soloist to convey the simple aesthetics and complex music patterns in a delicate manner. The Horn Concerto in B-flat Major, completed by Soviet composer Glière in 1951, fuses romantic melodies with classical form and fully displays the acoustic characteristics of modern horns. With his distinctive style and impeccable skills, Baborak’s interpretation of these two master pieces, which were written a century apart, is something that cannot be missed. Conductor Lan Shui also presents two of the most extravagant and fantastic pieces of work in the beginning of the 20th century - Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht for String Orchestra (re-arranged for from string sextet) and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Come and experience the joy of ablution and rebirth.

Thematic Concerts VIII - "Amazing Double Bass"

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• Both Classical and Romantic in nature, “Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major” by L. v. Beethoven is an epoch-making work that vividly depicts the emotions stemming from admiration of a hero. Rolf Martinsson, one of the most renowned Swedish composers of our time, gives the double bass its due solo status in his “Double Bass Concerto” with his outstanding composition skills. The concerto unfolds as the orchestra sets a dark-hued tone with its dull murmur, and closes in a movement of a fiery showcase of virtuosity. Edicson Ruiz, renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra double-bass player, will collaborate with famous German conductor Alexander Drčar and NTSO artists to give the audience an evening of double-bass charm.

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• The lovely melody of Donizetti’s Overture from Opera buffa “Don Pasquale” opens this concert which also presents four other opera excerpts. This is a concert in which the many facets of human emotions are blatantly on display. In his last work, “Falstaff”, Verdi presented the notorious huge man Falstaff in a humorous light. In act four of “Carmen”, we see the gypsy heroine willing to die for love, and how the officer Don Jose fell from grace in the name of love. The murder outside of the bull fighting ring is highlighted by the tension in the music. The excerpt from Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” is simple yet moving. Angelica is forced to become a nun after giving birth to a son out of wedlock. She kills herself in grief seven years later when she learns that her son has fallen ill and passed away. Strauss’ “Salome” aims to shock and surprise the audience from the dance of the seven veils to the very end of the opera. We invite you to come and enjoy a night of drama and music.

Symphony of Voice and Sentiment IX - "Alexei Lubimov meets NTSO"

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• Vaughan Williams used the melody of a hymn written by English composer Thomas Tallis in the 16th century as the main theme in his own composition, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. The piece is performed by an orchestra divided into three clusters in order to deliver 3D acoustics and is lauded as the greatest work for orchestra in the 20th century. Mahler’s Symphony No.4 in G Major serves little portions of happiness through its depiction of the joyful life in heaven. This symphony is quite popular among the audience as it presents an unassuming structure and style. Born in Moscow in 1944, Lubimov is one of the most innovative pianists of our time. He has an impressive repertoire, and has premiered many 20th century compositions in Russia. Fervently devoted to music, Lubimov has made his mark in the world of pianists. In this concert, Lubimov presents his interpretation of Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, a masterpiece written with the concept of neoclassicism and filled with novelty and technical challenges.

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