Klaus Mäkelä and Concertgebouworkest: Mahler's Symphony No. 5

Mahler Festival: Concertgebouworkest and Klaus Mäkelä - Mahler's Symphony No. 8

Klaus Mäkelä has been artistic partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra since 2022 and will become chief conductor in 2027. Earlier in this festival, he already conducted the First Symphony, today the Eighth. The Concertgebouw Orchestra shares the stage with no fewer than four vocal ensembles: the National Radio Choir, Laurens Symphonic, the Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris and the National Children's Choir.Mahler wrote to his friend Willem Mengelberg that his Eighth Symphony was his greatest work ever. 'All the other symphonies were anticipating this.' Moreover, he experienced it as if the piece of music was dictated to him in a vision. In two monumental movements, Mahler says he sings of the entire universe. 'There are no longer human voices sounding. They are planets and suns, revolving in their orbits.' Practically speaking, it is also a rather voluminous work. Mahler did often need very many performers, and in this Mahler's 'symphony of a thousand', there are close to four hundred. Or more: in 1912, Mengelberg conducted a version with two thousand musicians and singers.

Mahler Festival: Concertgebouworkest and Klaus Mäkelä - Mahler's Symphony No. 8

Klaus Mäkelä has been artistic partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra since 2022 and will become chief conductor in 2027. Earlier in this festival, he already conducted the First Symphony, today the Eighth. The Concertgebouw Orchestra shares the stage with no fewer than four vocal ensembles: the National Radio Choir, Laurens Symphonic, the Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris and the National Children's Choir.Mahler wrote to his friend Willem Mengelberg that his Eighth Symphony was his greatest work ever. 'All the other symphonies were anticipating this.' Moreover, he experienced it as if the piece of music was dictated to him in a vision. In two monumental movements, Mahler says he sings of the entire universe. 'There are no longer human voices sounding. They are planets and suns, revolving in their orbits.' Practically speaking, it is also a rather voluminous work. Mahler did often need very many performers, and in this Mahler's 'symphony of a thousand', there are close to four hundred. Or more: in 1912, Mengelberg conducted a version with two thousand musicians and singers.

Mahler Festival: Concertgebouw Orchestra and Klaus Mäkelä - Mahler's Symphony No. 1

In 1903, Gustav Mahler conducted his own work with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. He was lyrical about orchestra, choirs and audience. 'The music culture in this country is astonishing! The way these people can listen.' Tonight, in the First Symphony, the ensemble is led by Klaus Mäkelä. He has been artistic partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra since 2022 and will become chief conductor in 2027. In an interview, he said Mahler's work is probably the best first symphony ever. 'Fascinating how he manages to bring together sounds of nature, dances and childhood memories.'Stormy, lyrical and inventive: Mahler's First Symphony is one that hints forward to all that follows. Mahler arranged his First symphony several times. Central is a theme from one of the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. Spring dreams, peasant dances, a real storm, hunting scenes... they culminate in a triumphant finale. Swedish composer Anders Hillborg is writing a new work, the Dutch premiere of which you will hear today.

Mahler Festival: Concertgebouw Orchestra and Klaus Mäkelä - Mahler's Symphony No. 1

In 1903, Gustav Mahler conducted his own work with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. He was lyrical about orchestra, choirs and audience. 'The music culture in this country is astonishing! The way these people can listen.' Tonight, in the First Symphony, the ensemble is led by Klaus Mäkelä. He has been artistic partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra since 2022 and will become chief conductor in 2027. In an interview, he said Mahler's work is probably the best first symphony ever. 'Fascinating how he manages to bring together sounds of nature, dances and childhood memories.'Stormy, lyrical and inventive: Mahler's First Symphony is one that hints forward to all that follows. Mahler arranged his First symphony several times. Central is a theme from one of the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. Spring dreams, peasant dances, a real storm, hunting scenes... they culminate in a triumphant finale. Swedish composer Anders Hillborg is writing a new work, the Dutch premiere of which you will hear today.

Mahler's Symphony No. 5 & Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3

What did Mahler's Fifth Symphony sound like at the beginning of the last century? The Mahler Academy Orchestra, attached to the Gustav Mahler Academy in Bolzano, sheds new light on performance practice in Mahler's time with the Originalklang-Project. The orchestra consists partly of academics and partly of professional musicians, drawn from the best European orchestras. In Toblach, where Mahler composed his last symphonic works, they mastered playing on original Viennese instruments from around 1900 under the direction of Philipp von Steinaecker. The strings use gut strings; the woodwind and brass play on instruments Mahler acquired during his time as conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic.Norwegian star pianist Leif Ove Andsnes will solo in Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. Fun fact: Mahler conducted this work at the New York Philharmonic in 1910 with Rachmaninoff himself as soloist. The Mahler Academy Orchestra's concert is a prelude to the Mahler Festival in May 2025.Originalklang with original text: first performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony in the new critical edition by Breitkopf & Härtel.

Beethoven's Symphony No 5

Struggles, seduction and sparkling wit: Laurence Cummings and AAM play Beethoven, Haydn and Maria Theresia Ahlefeldt.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5

The Sunday Morning Concert brings you wonderful and much-loved compositions, performed by top musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. Enjoy the most beautiful music in the morning! You can make your Sunday complete by enjoying a delicious post-concert lunch in restaurant LIER.The Royal Concertgebouw is one of the best concert halls in the world, famous for its exceptional acoustics and varied programme. Attend a concert and have an experience you will never forget. Come and enjoy inspiring music in the beautiful surroundings of the Main Hall or the intimate Recital Hall.

Klaus Mäkelä

Mahler's monumental Symphony No. 2

The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics and special atmosphere. In the Main Hall, you will feel history. Here, Gustav Mahler conducted his own compositions, as did Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Sergei Rachmaninoff played his own piano concertos in the Main Hall. This is also where musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Yehudi Menuhin gave legendary performances. Right up to now, the Main Hall offers a stage to the world’s best orchestras and musicians. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Main Hall for yourself!