Mahler's 8th Symphony
requires such
massive forces that it's attracted the nickname 'The Symphony of a
Thousand': As a result it's very rarely played, so I was very pleased
to have the chance to hear it live at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday
evening. I would guess that there weren't actually a thousand
performers, but very likely over 800: a huge orchestra, two extra brass
sections in the gallery (you can see one of them in the top right-hand
corner), organ, two large choirs (scored separately), a children's
choir, and eight soloists. (In the photo there are as many adult choir
members out of shot as there are in it... a little bit of camera-shake I'm afraid: handheld in relatively low light). |
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