More than a hundred years ago, Gustav Mahler vividly described the beauty of nature through his music - a beauty that, in another hundred years, is at risk of being lost to drastic changes induced by man-made climate change.
The Stegreif Orchestra presents Mahler's melodies from Symphonies Nos. 1, 3 and 10, the Song of the Earth and the Wunderhorn songs, among others, with an improvisational lightness. As with Mahler, this lightness is juxtaposed with aspects of transience and destruction. Four composition teams with different musical languages were commissioned to each arrange one movement for this work. The programme is not based on a single classical work, but contains references to different works by Gustav Mahler, which are, however, united by the common theme of nature. The result is a multifaceted reflection of Mahler's musical world with contemporary themes.
Climate change affects the existence of all humans, as well as their health and nutrition. It permanently destroys farms, causes droughts and drives mass extinction. Scientists all over the world are dealing with the causes and consequences of climate change - solutions are being developed, with international initiatives drawing attention to them. With this programme, we as artists are asking ourselves: how can we, through music, make our contribution to encouraging critical thinking, shaking things up and stimulating a change in consciousness?
photo: Bernd Schölzchen/Kasseler Musiktage
