The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will present “Wen-pin Chien Conducts Mahler’s Resurrection” on Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Taipei National Concert Hall.
Have you ever pondered the meaning of life? Does death signify the end of everything, or the beginning of something new? Gustav Mahler wrestled with these profound questions in his Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection." On the evening of April 5, the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of well-known conductor Chien Wen-pin (簡文彬), will present this monumental work. Joining the performance are soprano Shiao Han (蕭涵), alto Wang Yu-hsin (王郁馨), and the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus. This performance promises to lead listeners on a powerful musical exploration of life, death, and ultimate redemption.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is an expansive and deeply emotional work that took years to complete. Conceived in 1888 and finished in 1894, it began as a symphonic poem and evolved into a full five-movement symphony. In the final movement, although initially concerned about comparisons to Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Mahler found inspiration in the German poet Friedrich Klopstock’s poem Die Auferstehung (“The Resurrection”) that he heard at a funeral. He eventually incorporated the poem as the choral text, symbolizing life’s transcendence and renewal.
The first three movements take the audience on an experience of life’s multifaceted aspects - its struggles, joy, mediocrity, and hopeless resignation. The piece takes a profound turn in the fourth movement, "Urlicht" (Primal Light). Mahler chose the rich, grounded timbre of the alto voice, representing a faint yet steadfast glow in the darkness, guiding listeners toward the symphony’s ultimate revelation.
The fifth and final movement, “Im Tempo des Scherzo,” is the symphony’s grand culmination and its longest movement, lasting over 30 minutes. It opens with chaotic, tumultuous orchestration, evoking an apocalyptic scene of judgment where the soul struggles amidst uncertainty and turmoil. As the grosse Appell resounds (Great Call of Apocalypse), the chorus emerges from the silence, singing Klopstock’s “Resurrection," symbolizing a solemn yet hopeful meditation on eternal life. The symphony reaches its climax in a triumphant hymn of transcendence and glory.
The conductor Chien Wen-pin, former Resident Conductor of the Deutsche Oper am Rhien for 22 years, will lead the performance. With alto Wang Yu-hsin’s warm and resonant voice adding emotional depth to the later sections of the symphony, the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus will enrich the experience with their pure and expressive singing. This concert offers a rare and transformative journey for those seeking a musical reflection on life’s greatest mysteries.
Join the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra and Wen-pin Chien on April 5 at the Taipei National Concert Hall for an unforgettable performance on Mahler’s Symphony – “Resurrection." Tickets are available at Opentix.
