In this brand new podcast, journalist Gijs Groenteman, singer Thomas Oliemans and musicologist Thomas de Jonker discuss Gustav Mahler's nine completed symphonies in a 20-hour podcast. Following the success of previous podcasts on Schubert's Winterreise and Bach's Matthew Passion ahead of the Mahler Festival, the gentlemen focus on the Austrian composer's symphonic oeuvre.
Part by part, they analyse the backbone of Mahler's oeuvre. With a look at both the music and Mahler's biography, which is inextricably intertwined with his symphonies. Each episode focuses on a specific part of a symphony. Oliemans gets behind the grand piano to illustrate the musical themes, and iconic orchestral excerpts are listened to. In 40 episodes - consisting of the 39 movements of Mahler's symphonies plus an introductory episode - a unique and compelling listening guide is created, with plenty of humour, discussions and fresh perspectives, a must-hear for connoisseurs and newcomers to the world of Mahler.
Live special: Das Lied von der Erde
On 7 May 2025, one day before the Mahler Festival starts at the Concertgebouw, an extra chapter will be added to the podcast: a live recording with an audience in the Choir Room. Groenteman, Oliemans and De Jonker dive into a work that is not officially a symphony, but should not be missed in this series: Das Lied von der Erde, also called Mahler's 'unofficial Ninth'. Only 140 tickets are available for this live special.