If silence had a sound, what would you hear? Maybe something like the massive stillness that opens Mahler’s First Symphony. A magical spring dawn, or the creation of life itself? It’s the starting point for a young artist’s journey through tragedy and triumph – a voyage through life and death, birdsong and fanfares, funeral marches and Viennese waltzes.
Mahler said that ‘the symphony should be like the world – it must embrace everything’, and no recording does the First Symphony justice: it’s one of those pieces that you simply have to experience live.
First, though, a majestic interlude from Puccini sets the scene for Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Raising the roof with a shout of joy, this setting of three Hebrew psalms is both affirming and exhilarating – a timeless plea for peace and unity.
With the generous support of Aline Foriel-Destezet.
Programme
Puccini Preludio sinfonico
Bernstein Chichester Psalms
Mahler Symphony No.1, ‘Titan’
Vasily Petrenko Conductor
Philharmonia Chorus
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tuesday 21 October 2025 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Tickets
£0.00 (RAH Ballot)