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2022-23 BSO Season

Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler's Symphony No. 6

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Gustav Mahler’s intensely emotional Symphony No. 6, written in 1903–04, is arguably his most heartfelt symphonic statement — his wife Alma called it "the most completely personal of his works." The Sixth features three powerful and ominous hammer blows in its finale, which evidently represented for Mahler "three blows of fate."

Thu, Oct 20, 2022, 7:30pm EDT (Past)

Fri, Oct 21, 2022, 1:30pm EDT (Past)

Sat, Oct 22, 2022, 8:00pm EDT (Past)

Performance Details

Oct 20, 2022, 7:30pm EDT

Featuring

Andris Nelsons

Conductor

Program Notes & Works

Symphony No. 6

Gustav Mahler

The Sixth Symphony is arguably Mahler's darkest, most emotionally fraught work, and the only one of his symphonies to end forcefully in the minor mode with no hint of relief. Within the storm, though, Mahler gives a glimpse of idyllic Austrian country life, cowbells heard clanging in the distance.