Cancelled: Mahler - The Song of the Earth | Philharmonia Orchestra

Xian Zhang brings her charismatic energy and panache to a programme embracing youth and beauty, old age and farewell, nature and renewal.

Mahler’s The Song of the Earth is an hour-long, soul-searching journey in the company of a composer examining his own mortality and love for life from all angles. In six settings of ancient Chinese poems, Mahler reflects on the transience of human life, the joys of young love, good wine, and enduring friendship, and the eternal power of nature.

Claudia Mahnke shares Mahler’s spine-tingling vocal writing with Austrian tenor Andreas Schager.

Mozart’s Symphony No 25, in contrast, was composed when he was just 17 years old, and yet it shows remarkable maturity. With the stormy and dramatic minor-key first movement (made famous in the film Amadeus) Mozart seems to announce that he is leaving behind his role as child prodigy and court entertainer. And the graceful slow movement, perfectly-formed minuet and vigorous finale that follow confirm his transition to era-defining composer.