Final concert: Karina Canellakis conducts Mahler 2

Karina Canellakis dives into Mahler's colossal Second Symphony for the season finale. A tour de force in which the American "chief" of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra is fully committed. Previous performances of Mahler symphonies have already shown how good the match is between her and the Viennese composer. 'Exciting to ear and eye,' said the Volkskrant on one such occasion.

Plodding Man

Mahler struggled for more than six years with his Second Symphony, also known as Resurrection Symphony. Not surprisingly, he made things difficult for himself in many ways. The composer groped for the "utmost" in this work for full orchestra plus chorus, soloists and all sorts of extras. For the plodding man, he grandly sketches the ultimate liberation in an eternal life.

Triumphant final chorus

The role of the singers is relatively modest in this Mahler symphony, but decisive for its impact. The alto solo Urlicht, for example, provides a reflective prelude to the final movement. Mezzo-soprano Okka von der Damerau takes care of that solo with her powerful voice and natural diction, while soprano Hanna-Elisabeth Müller is not inferior to her when she joins the triumphant final chorus.