Wiener Philharmoniker

History carries this orchestra forward. Richard Wagner called it the most exceptional of its kind in the world, an assertion with which Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler all agreed. Richard Strauss emphasised that no matter how much one praises the Vienna Philharmonic, there is still a risk of underrating them. Conductor Daniel Harding replaces Zubin Mehta, who due to health reasons has been obliged to cancel his participation during the European tour. However, the very exciting programme remains unchainged.

Daniel Harding is Music Director of both the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre de Paris, and Conductor Laureate of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. 

Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1: Jeremiah from 1942 and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 will be performed here. Jeremiah was composed in 1942, in the midst of war, and is dedicated to Bernstein’s father. In the final movement, Lamentation, Jeremiah’s sorrow can be heard as he mourns his beloved Jerusalem. Vocal soloist is Austrian mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Kulman, formerly associated with the Vienna State Opera but now active globally in concert and opera settings.

Three things influenced Mahler’s symphonic style as he worked on his fifth symphony: that the winter before, he had nearly bled to death; that while recovering, he had immersed himself in the collected works of Bach; and that in the midst of working on the piece, he met his future wife, Alma Schindler.