Gustav Mahler: Symphonie Nr. 2 „Auferstehung“

The two state youth ensembles of the State Music Council of Rhineland-Palatinate e. V. – the State Youth Orchestra and the State Youth Choir – are jointly presenting an extraordinary concert event in collaboration with the choir of the State Theatre Mainz and the Philharmonic State Orchestra Mainz as part of the 7th Symphony Concert. The performance will take place on April 10, 2026, at 8 PM in the Great House of the State Theatre Mainz. The concert duration is approximately 95 minutes; entry begins 75 minutes before the event starts. Additionally, the concert will be recorded by SWR Kultur.

The soloists are Nadja Stefanoff (soprano) and Verena Tönjes (alto). The musical direction is under the guidance of Gabriel Venzago. This project impressively continues the successful collaboration that has grown over many years between the State Music Council of Rhineland-Palatinate and the State Theatre Mainz.

The program blends the delicate Viennese sound tradition with monumental symphonic expressiveness. Three elegant, melodically shaped miniatures by Fritz Kreisler capture the characteristic charm of Viennese music culture: light-footed, graceful, and simultaneously imbued with lyrical sensitivity. These pieces, which the composer long refrained from labeling as his own works, remain popular encores in the violin repertoire to this day.

The central focus of the evening is Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony, a work of immense dimension and existential depth. In it, the composer raises fundamental questions about meaning, suffering, and human destiny. Developed over several years, the symphony culminates in an expansive finale that unfolds a vision of hope and resurrection through choir and solo voices. After dramatic orchestral eruptions, the sound space opens up to an impressive, comforting perspective – a moving experience for both the performers and the audience alike.

This concert promises a musical evening of exceptional intensity and brilliance, supported by great voices, an impressive body of sound, and the inspiring collaboration of several significant institutions in the region.