Thu, 28. 1. 2027, 19:00 hrs.

A4 Mahler | Das Lied von der Erde

Venue: Zlín Congress Centre  |  Organizer: Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů, o.p.s.  | 

The dramatic narrative of tonight's music under the baton of chief conductor Robert Kružík highlights one of the fundamental existential motifs of music, which is man's relationship to the earth, nature and his own life experience, with the earth understood here not only as its physical matter, but as the scope for human existence, memory and the natural cycle of time.

The programme opens with Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring suite from the ballet, which depicts the story of American immigrants set in the foothills of the Appalachian in a compelling musical picture of the life of the settlers and their connection to the land and community, using clear musical language and instrumentation that underlines the pastoral character of the work.

This is followed by Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, an extensive symphonic cycle for tenor, alto and orchestra, and something unique in the composer's output. Standing at the interface between symphony and song cycle, it draws its inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry. If Copland viewed the earth as an arena for human beginnings and their roots, Mahler perceived it more as a silent witness to the endless cycle of life and death. Natural images and themes of loneliness and farewell intertwine here in masterful music that swings between eruptive musical expression and extreme fragility. The intimate messages and deeply dramatic expression of Mahler's music are interpreted tonight through the voices of our two soloists Štěpánka Pučálková and Richard Samek.