I am really looking forward to this concert. Although it might seem like quite an odd pairing, it’s been carefully selected. I’ve always been quite fascinated by the similarities between Dvořák and Mahler. Mahler is often tagged as an Austrian composer; however this is only because of borders and empires at the time. Dvořák and Mahler were both born in Bohemia and would now be considered as Czech composers.
Another coincidence is that towards the end of his life Dvořák took up a post at the conservatory in New York, which gave us the New World Symphony, premiered under what would become the New York Philharmonic, and 15 years or so later Mahler also became the principal conductor of the same orchestra.
Musically there are a lot of similarities, especially in these two works. Both composers had a love of their native folk and traditional music. This is reflected in these two symphonies, full of tunes and wonderful melodies.
Mahler’s reputation for size and scale can often be unjustified, and I think it’s the case here. The orchestra is huge, of course, and we’re going to take up half of St Peter’s, but the way he uses it is quite remarkably delicate.
Much of the musical material for the first was taken from his song cycle, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), and he inserts direct passages from the songs throughout.
Like Dvořák, it owes a huge debt to their native folk and traditional music. This is probably strongest in the third movement, a funeral march where Mahler takes the tune of Bruder Martin (Frère Jacques to us) performed as a mournful round. There’s also a passage of Jewish Klezmer music, before he brilliantly weaves the two together.
Then there is the tremendous finale, 8 horns and all. If we have space, I hope to follow the direction for the horns to stand for the final closing bars, it’s quite a sight.
For those who remember the last time the orchestra played Mahler 1, for the 10th anniversary concert – this was my first introduction to the Bridgewater Sinfonia, having been drafted in to play percussion.
We hope to see you there to enjoy their legacies.
Steven Joyce-Myall
