In August, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will launch one of its most ambitious projects to date: a three-year "Mahler Cycle," exploring the life and works of 20th century composer Gustav Mahler. Under the umbrella of the annual Great Performances Festival, the FWSO will be the first major orchestra in Texas to undertake such a monumental task in just three years.
Although other major orchestras in Texas have performed all of Mahler's symphonies, none have completed all symphonies in such a concentrated period of time. It's an undertaking fit for Mahler, whose compositions are enormous in size, depth and emotion.
The seventh annual Great Performances Festival, and first Mahler Cycle, takes place Aug. 23-26 at Bass Performance Hall. Each concert event begins at 7:30 p.m.
Born in Bohemia, Mahler would become one of the most important figures in Western music in the 20th century. He was a genius conductor who led revolutionary changes in both orchestral repertoire and genre. He attended the Vienna Conservatory, and went on to take important conducting positions in Budapest, Hamburg, Leipzig and the Vienna State Opera, which underwent a remarkable transformation under his leadership. He immigrated to the United States in 1907, where he was engaged as a conductor for the Metropolitan Opera and later the New York Philharmonic in addition to other international conducting engagements.
Mahler wrote nine full symphonies during his lifetime, leaving a 10th unfinished, as well as a number of songs. His symphonies, especially the later ones, are monumental not only in size but in emotional intensity. Mahler came to prominence at the turn of the century when symphonic music was rapidly changing. His symphonies pay homage to the great masters Bach and Beethoven while also surpassing all boundaries in the symphonic genre. Although he did not enjoy great success as a composer during his lifetime – his music was too experimental and sometimes considered garish because of its size -- his work began to experience a revival in the 1970s and today Mahler is regarded as a master of orchestration and depth whose music reaches unsurpassable heights. Today, Mahler Societies, which follow his work and performances, are prevalent throughout the United States and abroad.
The Great Performances Festival opens with "The Man Behind the Music," a multimedia retrospective of Mahler's life and work led by Professor Carol Reynolds, with selections from Mahler's vocal works performed by American mezzo soprano Jill Grove. Reynolds, a former professor of music history at Southern Methodist University, is known for her lively and humorous discussions.
Then the FWSO moves into three evening performances, beginning with Symphony No. 1 in D Major, "The Titan," on Aug. 24. His first purely orchestral work, the First Symphony is a musical depiction of nature that spirits us away from our urban surroundings. From this first symphony, Mahler had already begun to establish a truly unique voice, displaying the ability to combine eclectic influences ranging from Jewish folk melodies to German bar songs and even the tune of a children's nursery rhyme. His emotional Symphony No. 5 will be performed on Aug. 25. The second most recorded of his symphonies, it includes the ravishing Adagietto, a love-poem for his future wife Alma Schindler. It was subsequently made famous by its use in Visconti's film Death in Venice. Mahler's Ninth Symphony, written just before he died, will be performed on Aug. 26. The Ninth is a masterful creation and a true example of Romantic style with heart-wrenching tension followed by sweet resolve.
Major underwriting for the Great Performances Festival is provided by Mr. and Mrs. Sid R. Bass. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's 2007-08 season is sponsored by American Airlines, Renaissance Worthington Hotel and Star-Telegram. -- www.fwsymphony.org
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