Mahler's marvelous ninth
Conducted by Czech maestro Jakub Hrusa, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra scale the epic heights of Mahler's sweeping Ninth Symphony. Whilst it was the last of the symphonies Mahler was able to create before his death in 1911, it is by no means the least and often presents a huge challenge to those who perform it thanks to its truly enormous scope.
Whilst death is the overarching theme of the symphony's four movements, it doesn't result in a soul-sapping funeral dirge but rather life-affirming and exquisitely beautiful melodies and harmonies. Often hailed as a transformative experience, it takes the listener on a journey through the veil of world wars, tragedy and personal loss so that they may glimpse an other worldly realm filled with dark fanfares, vibrant contrapuntal flights and gossamer-thin moments of slow calm. Conductor Hrusa brings to the Orchestra his wealth of experience earned from his regular engagements with the Czech Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony and New York Philharmonic, to name but a few.