Philzuid

Vienna is music, music is Vienna. Every music lover should treat themselves to a weekend in Vienna at least once. Music history comes to life on every street corner and in every square. The Austrian capital cherishes its rich musical past. A history that goes beyond Beethoven and Mozart. Around 1900, the bustling, sophisticated Vienna was an unparalleled creative melting pot. Gustav Mahler amazed friends and foes alike with symphonies and songs full of personal pain and universal expressiveness.

Philzuid and chief conductor Duncan Ward delve into Viennese music history. Special guest is Dame Sarah Connolly, who was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2017 for her services to music. Conolly is enamored with the sensitive sound world of the Mahlers, including Gustav Mahler’s Rückert Lieder. Inspired by the lyrical poetry of German poet Friedrich Rückert, Mahler composed a set of lush songs. Mahler’s melodic gift gives wings to Rückert’s romantic poetry.

The highlight of this song cycle is the almost biographical song Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen. The slightly unworldly, isolated romantic Mahler felt understood. Conolly also performs several songs by Alma Mahler. She was not only Gustav’s muse, but also a great source of inspiration for composer Alexander von Zemlinsky. The icing on the cake of this deeply romantic composer’ ‘s monumental musical fairy tale The Mermaid. He had just lost his great love Alma to Gustav Mahler. In this large-scale orchestral fantasy, Von Zemlinsky immediately delves into the depths with The Little Mermaid. For Von Zemlinksy, this famous Andersen fairy tale was the perfect way to process his earthly heartbreak.

Program

Alma Mahler – Four Lieder
Gustav Mahler – Rückert-Lieder
Zemlinsky -The Mermaid