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The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert on WRTI: Yannick Conducts Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony

At a time when renewal of hope is so important, WRTI is proud to rebroadcast the transcendent "Resurrection" Symphony of Gustav Mahler on Sunday, January 17th at 1 PM on WRTI, and Monday, January 18th at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2.

This unforgettable performance from December of 2014, of one of the longest, most ambitious, and profoundly moving orchestral works ever composed, brought together The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, soprano Angela Meade, and mezzo-soprano Sarah Connelly, under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

The Second Symphony's unusual impact and philosophical import have been recognized ever since Mahler conducted the premiere in Berlin in 1895.  And it seems to have held a special place for Mahler as well, since he chose it as the first of his symphonies that he conducted in Vienna, and also as his farewell there in 1907.

Projecting a powerful narrative of "Life over Death" that resonates with philosophical issues Mahler explored throughout his career, the "Resurrection" Symphony  is a monumental piece, written for an enormous orchestra, capped off by a magnificent chorus that is reserved until the end of the final movement. After completing the work, Mahler remarked: “What effect I could have achieved if I had used the chorus and organ earlier, but I wanted to save them for the climax."

PhilOrch122814JoeMillerJCDM.mp3
Listen to an interview with Joe Miller, director of the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

 

PROGRAM:

Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C minor (“Resurrection”)
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Andante moderato
III. In ruhig fliessender Bewegung
IV. “Urlicht”
V. Finale

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Angela Meade, Soprano
Sarah Connolly, Mezzo-soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Director
 

Gregg Whiteside is producer and host of The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert broadcasts on WRTI 90.1 FM in Philadelphia and streaming online at WRTI.org, every Sunday from 1 to 3 pm and repeated on Mondays at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2.

Gregg was the host of WRTI's morning drive show from 2012 until his retirement from WRTI in January, 2021. He began producing and hosting The Philadelphia Orchestra In Concert broadcasts in 2013, joining the Orchestra in Hong Kong for the first-ever live international radio broadcasts from that island in 2016, and in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for two historic broadcasts in 2018. You can still hear Gregg as host of the Orchestra broadcasts every Sunday and Monday on WRTI.