For his farewell concert as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Simon Rattle chose to conduct Mahler's overpowering Sixth Symphony, the same work with which he'd made his debut with the great orchestra three decades earlier. This album captures that historic event, recorded live at Berlin's Philharmonie in June 2018.
Featuring
Sir Simon Rattle
Berliner Philharmoniker
Gustav Mahler
Did you know?
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Compositional Technique
A significant point of contention in Mahler's Sixth Symphony is the order of the two middle movements, with Mahler himself changing it from the printed version for performances.
Recording & Production
This recording captures Sir Simon Rattle's final performances as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, bringing his era full circle with Mahler's Sixth Symphony.
Performer Biography
Sir Simon Rattle, the conductor of this album, made his debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker in 1987 conducting Mahler's Sixth Symphony.
Compositional Technique
Mahler's Sixth Symphony is unique among his works for applying the traditional principle of beginning and ending a symphonic work in the same key, specifically A minor.
Composition History
Gustav Mahler composed his Sixth Symphony during the summer months of 1903 and 1904, a period when his external life was marked by success and happiness.
Interpretation
This recording follows Mahler's final authorized version for the middle movements, placing the Andante before the Scherzo.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mahler emphasized the enigmatic character of his Sixth Symphony, stating it would "pose riddles that can be solved only by a generation that has assimilated and digested my first five."
