Music this moving needs space to breathe, and as Sakari Oramo continues his journey with the 成人快手 Symphony Orchestra鈥檚 Mahler cycle, it feels right to give it a concert of its own. 鈥淭riumphantly tragic鈥� was how The Arts Desk described Oramo鈥檚 recent performance of Mahler鈥檚 Sixth Symphony; now, as the journey continues, there鈥檚 no more impactful way to start our new season.

The very first notes of Mahler鈥檚 Ninth Symphony seem to falter. The composer, heartbroken after the death of his daughter, put the rhythm of his heart into the orchestra, beginning his final completed symphony with a sigh. But that鈥檚 just the beginning, and over eighty-five minutes of music, Mahler explores every last drop of beauty, terror, and love from a life of deep emotional commitment.