Our trek southward along the mighty 405 freeway this Thursday evening will be a journey in search of musical profundity. And like a good DVD, it comes with bonus material.
We’re attending the Pacific Symphony performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, considered one of his greatest works, a sweeping musical exposition of the composer’s innermost conflicts — a profound, lifelong fear of death and a deep yearning for the joys of life. Mahler never heard it performed, he died instead, leaving behind a tormented work which finally resolves in life affirmation.
Preceding the 8 pm curtain at Segerstrom Concert Hall, a special pre-concert “playlet” conceived and written by our friend and teacher, Joseph Horowitz. The Gustav and Alma Show rolls out at 7 pm.
“I Beg You to Be Truthful!” — The Marriage of Gustav and Alma Mahler: A Self-Portrait in Letters
Written by Joseph Horowitz, featuring actors Nick Ullett and Jenny O’Hara. Based on: Gustav Mahler: Letters to his Wife, edited by Henry-Louis de La Grange and Günther Weiss in collaboration with Knud Martner. Cornell University Press.
We look forward to listening with ears, hearts, and minds to what Mahler, and Joe, want to tell us.
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