Season Opening: Mahler 2 and Fujikura

We begin the evening with the UK premiere of Dai Fujikura’s Amber Alchemy. You can expect to hear the composer’s signature focus on intricate, delicate textures as he explores the sonic qualities of the orchestra. This shorter opening piece serves as a contemporary prelude to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 2, known as the Resurrection. As the symphony unfolds over five movements, you will hear a journey that starts with a stark, rhythmic funeral march. Listen for the way Mahler slowly introduces folk-like melodies and off-stage brass calls, gradually building the scale of the music. The performance culminates in a massive finale featuring the full orchestra, a large chorus, and solo voices. It is a work designed to fill the physical space of the hall, moving from the quietest whispers to a vast, unified wall of sound. The contrast between Fujikura’s modern precision and Mahler’s expansive Romanticism defines the shape of this concert.

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble rooted at the Barbican and celebrated for its technical agility and historical depth. The orchestra is known for navigating complex twentieth-century scores alongside the core symphonic repertoire. Joining them is soprano Maria Bengtsson, a performer frequently heard on the international stage in both concert and operatic roles. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in the large-scale German symphonic tradition, led by a conductor who is widely recognised for his dramatic pacing and collaborative approach to orchestral and vocal music.

This performance takes place at the Barbican in London and has a running time of approximately 100 minutes. Given the scale and volume of the Mahler symphony, it is a significant undertaking for those new to the concert hall, though the inclusion of a modern premiere adds variety for regular listeners. As is standard for evening orchestral concerts at this venue, there is no specific dress code; most guests opt for smart-casual attire. You should note that the programme features a choral finale, typically sung in the original German.