Berlin Philharmonic
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Ben Heppner tenor
Thomas Quasthoff bass-baritone
Monday, November 19, 8pm, Symphony Hall

For many fans of great symphonic music the Berlin Philharmonic is the apex of achievement. Sir Simon Rattle is writing a new chapter in the illustrious history of this venerable ensemble. For this performance, the Philharmonic and Maestro Rattle are joined by two of the greatest voices of their generation, tenor Ben Heppner and bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, for Gustav Mahler’s symphonic song cycle, Das Lied von der Erde.

"…you could hear the discipline in everything – the staggering force of the loud dynamics, which nevertheless never lost musical quality, the ineffable purity of the soft playing that hovered on the threshold of audibility, the sumptuous transparency of the string sound, the subtle blend and interaction of the winds, the contained power of the brass."
—The Boston Globe

"Heppner, unlike most interpreters of heroic operatic roles, is all tenor, not a pushed-up baritone; he has power, but his voice is also sweet and ductile, all the way up to the top, and the sound radiates warmth and humanity."
—The Boston Phoenix

"The deeper impact of Mr. Quasthoff’s singing comes from his musicianship, which is impeccable, his diction, which is natural and clear, and his communicative power, which is utterly honest."
—The New York Times

Program:

Notes on the program and text/translations

GYÖRGY KURTÁG
Stele, Opus 33

MAHLER
Das Lied von der Erde

Box office prices: $187, $147, $87, $67, $47


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