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2011-2012 Season:  Year Four of the Mahler Cycle

Music Director Manfred Honeck continues his multi-year journey through the complete cycle of Viennese composer Gustav Mahler’s orchestral works by closing the 2011-2012 season with Mahler’s profound Sixth Symphony, known as the “Tragic.”  Associating the work with personal tragedies that beset the renowned composer, Mahler’s wife Alma recalls, “None of his works came so directly from his inmost heart as this.”

Symphony No. 6, “Tragic”

2010-2011 Season: Year Three of the Pittsburgh Symphony's Mahler Cycle, featuring:

• Concert Preludes with Mahler Specialist Dr. Stephen Hefling
• Lobby displays provided by the International Gustav Mahler Society (one hour prior to each concert)
• Insights from Manfred Honeck, PSO musicians and patrons
  
  

Mahler Cycle Repertoire Performed on the 2010-2011 Season:

During the 2010-2011 Season, Music Director Manfred Honeck continues his multi-year look at Gustav Mahler. Honeck will share why he believes Mahler to be one of the greatest composers and the influence the composer has had on his own musical development. We will also hear how Mahler has touched the lives of the PSO's musicians and patrons. 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Mahler's death. During the concerts on May 20-22, , we will explore Mahler's successes as both a conductor and composer, as well as his troubled personal life.

The PSO and its patrons will also continue a guided journey through Mahler's life led by our American Mahler Specialist, Dr. Stephen Hefling. Dr. Hefling will discuss how Mahler's personal triumphs and defeats affected his compositions, particularly his Kindertotenlieder and Fifth Symphony.

The International Gustav Mahler Society will again provide lobby displays focusing on Mahler's life at the time he composed the works performed on the 2010-2011 Season.