In 1814, when Franz Schubert was a young man, he went about composing his Symphony No. 2 more or less blithely. And yet it shows how difficult it was for him to find his own way, faced with all the symphonic legacy of the classical period. Just how much symphonic music can transcend the boundaries of the classical model can be seen in Gustav Mahler’s works. Our Chorin performance contains the adagio from his last and unfinished symphony, a highly emotional instrumental chant of love and lament. Mahler esteemed the Dutch composer Diepenbrock very much, having met him during his stays in the Netherlands between 1903 and 1906. In his orchestral song Im Großen Silent , set after lyrics by Friedrich Nietzsche, Diepenbrock combines the sensuality of the orchestral sound and the simple quality of song to create a dramatic, operatic gesture. Baritone and multiple international award winner Christian Gerhaher will not only interpret Diepenbrock’s work but also prove his singing skills with a selection of Hugo Wolf’s orchestral songs.

Program

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) • Symphony No. 2 in B♭ major D 125 (1814/15) 

Alphons Diepenbrock (1862-1921) • “I m großen Schweigen” (In Great Silence) for baritone and orchestra (1905/06)

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) • Adagio from Symphony No. 10 in F♯ major (1910)

Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) • Lieder (selection of orchestral songs)