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London Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Harding

A New Lease of Life – Mahler’s Fifth Symphony

,Hall
Hakan Hardenberger trumpet portrait

A solitary trumpet sounds: and so we enter Jörg Widmann’s heavenly maze and Mahler’s profoundly expressive Fifth Symphony.

A solemn fanfare introduces a funeral lament at the beginning of Mahler’s symphony. Its first half is bleak; the composer had recently undergone a troubling near-death experience. But midway through the composition process, Mahler met his future wife, Alma. The fourth movement is a ravishingly beautiful love letter to her. It’s familiar to many as the lovely, melancholy theme in the 1971 film Death in Venice. In Towards Paradise (Labyrinth VI), the trumpeter must navigate the tumultuous landscape of the orchestra to advance on a state of bliss.

Daniel Harding and the LSO find worlds within worlds in the gorgeous music of the Fifth Symphony. Harding is a top choice to interpret Widmann’s work, and the phenomenal Håkan Hardenberger gave the premiere performance of Towards Paradise.

Tagged with: Classical music London Symphony Orchestra Sep 23–Jun 24 Multibuy London Symphony Orchestra

This performance will end at approximately 9.30pm, including a 20-minute interval.

Produced by the London Symphony Orchestra

Programme

  • Jörg Widmann   Towards Paradise (Labyrinth VI)*
  • Gustav Mahler   Symphony No 5

Performers

  • London Symphony Orchestra  
  • Daniel Harding   conductor
  • Håkan Hardenberger   trumpet*

Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.