Marin Alsop Conducts Mahler's Fifth Symphony
Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop and singer Sasha Cooke join the Philharmonia Orchestra to delve into the rich emotional world of Gustav and Alma Mahler.
From its sinister opening trumpet fanfare to the joyful affirmation of the finale, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony packs quite a punch.
Perhaps the best-loved music he wrote, the Adagietto at its heart is ten minutes of pure, heart-wrenching beauty from strings and harp.
The story goes that Mahler sent a copy of this movement to his future wife Alma as a declaration of love, and they were engaged soon after.
This wasn’t his first musical love letter though – years earlier he’d written Blumine for another flame. Initially a movement in his first symphony, he deleted it after only a few performances and it is now mostly heard as a standalone piece.
The singing melody threaded through it gives the Philharmonia’s Principal Trumpet the chance to show their gentler side.
Alma Mahler’s music is less well known than her husband’s – not least because in the early years of their relationship he insisted that she give up composing. Her refined and moving songs are well worth discovering. Tonight’s selection of songs from the 14 that survive showcase the ‘sonorous and expressive’ (Opera News) voice of Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke.
Performers
Philharmonia Orchestra
Marin Alsop conductor
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano
Repertoire
Mahler: Blumine (Andante)
A Mahler: Die stille Stadt (The quiet town); Bei dir es traut (With you it is pleasant); Laue Sommernacht (Mild summer's night); In meines Vaters Garten (In my father's garden) arr. David & Colin Matthews for voice & orchestra
Interval
Mahler: Symphony No.5
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.