Welcome

The Maestro and Mahler

Saturday the 9th November 2024 at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS.

This event is dedicated to the memory of Derek Jones

You’ve seen the film now explore the story behind it!

Who are the greatest musical figures of the 20th century? In the pantheon some would put the Beatles who broke the mould of modern popular music and blues in particular. In the classical world some would put Schoenberg who set off in a new direction, invented a new type of music and challenged audiences to think differently.

However there are two other contenders - Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein who in their separate ways achieved some really remarkable things.

On 9th November the Gustav Mahler Society in the North and Midlands (GMS N&M) will be running a study day which will explore the links between two of the greatest musicians of the 20 th century - Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein. The day will explore through film, readings talks and guided discussion, the lives and works of these outstanding conductors and composers.

With a leading authority, Dr Kevin Carey, the study day will be run at the Birmingham and Midlands Institute (Dickens Room) Margaret Street, Birmingham on 9 th November starting at 11.00. Morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided.

Itinerary:

11.00 Tea/coffee

11.30 Opening remarks
Brief biography – “Who is Leonard Bernstein?”

12.00 Mahler and the Maestro video. (This is presented with the kind permission of www.theworldofgustavmahler.org)

12.30 A reading of Bernstein’s article from High Fidelity Magazine, 1967. “Mahler: his time has come”.

1.00 Lunch break (Please note, lunch is not included in the ticket price.)

2.00 Presentation by Dr Kevin Carey - Mahler Recordings 1924-70: Where Does Bernstein Fit?

3.15 Tea and coffee plus Q&A session

4.00 (Approx.) Concluding remarks.
Short video - Bernstein conducts the end of Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony in Ely Cathedral (as recreated in the film “Maestro”)

Tickets are £25 each from Eventbrite. Alternatively they can be purchased via the GMS website, or on the door (cash or cheque only) subject to availability.

Please pay by bank transfer to:

Gustav Mahler Society UK
(Cooperative Bank, Skelmersdale)
A/c: 65078954       
Sort: 08 92 99
Ref: MAESTRO your surname and initial

Enquiries: Penny Young. penelopeyoung@btinternet.com

News of the Delphine Trio

As you know, the GMS UK’s recent Mahler concert to support young musicians building their careers took place on 25 April 2024, ‘Mahler’s Vienna’ with Betty Makharinsky soprano and Pavel Timofeyevsky piano. See this website’s Concerts and Events page for details.

Our concert in the same series last year was The Delphine Trio and Friends, the Trio being Jobine Siekman cello, Magdalenna Krstevska clarinet and Roelof Temmingh piano, while the friends were Maja Horvat violin and Zwakele Tshbalala tenor.

Since that 2023 concert the Delphine Trio has been busy, recording their début album ‘Adrift’ - TRPTK 2024 (32bit DXD, DSD256). The album has received this glowing review:
“... It is such a pleasure hearing an entire recital of twentieth century compositions that, while often less well known, are dramatically good works. The works are varied, frequently dramatic, and contain unexpected twists and turns that consistently piqued my interest for more. I applaud their programming choices! The less frequently heard combination of clarinet, cello and piano makes for a welcome bit of aural recreation. 

Importantly, the performance qualities of the Delphine Trio are very high — they are excellent musicians who perform with both a high degree of technical proficiency and a clearly evident pleasure in creating music. There is a joyful elan to their performances that is to be cherished. This is music-making of the highest caliber. I look forward to more recordings from this excellent trio…”

For the full review, see the following link:
New Joys from NativeDSD - Positive Feedback (positive-feedback.com)

The Trio isn’t resting on its laurels though. They are currently engaged in a tour:
13 June Bristol, Trio programme featuring Glinka, Fauré, Howard, Brahms
14 July Buxton Festival, Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

In the nicest possible sense, Break a Leg Delphine Trio!

The Year 2024 got off to a cracking start, when GMS UK President Anthony Raumann met Marina Mahler Fistoulari, granddaughter of Gustav Mahler, in London.

Anthony gave Marina a copy of the CD recording of Das Lied von der Erde in Mahler's Autograph original piano version, with soloists Claudia Huckle contralto, Nicky Spence tenor and Justin Brown piano.

GMS UK was one of the sponsors of this 2023 recording, on the Champs Hill label CHRCD167. The reviewer in BBC Music Magazine wrote, “Here, perfect technique, deep expression and unique vocal personalities combine in the singing of Scottish tenor Nicky Spence and Anglo-German contralto Claudia Huckle…”

Mahler Society members hope to meet Marina Mahler on future occasions when her schedule allows her to visit London. In the meantime, our message to Marina is Happy Listening. We hope you are enjoying this recording as much as we are.

The Society brings together the ever growing number of people who share a love for Mahler’s music. By becoming a member you will enjoy many benefits. Throughout the year there are opportunities to hear noted scholars of Mahler’s life and work, but we also hold events such as the Annual Dinner whose focus is primarily a social one.

Regular newsletters will bring you up to date about concerts in London and other parts of the country, as well as any discounts which may be available to members.