Mahler 9
Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer

2023 saw the long-awaited return of the Mahler Festival at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, which had to be postponed due to the pandemic. It focused on the life and work of Gustav Mahler, presenting performances of all symphonies and more works by leading Mahler experts over the span of 18 days.

Theodor W. Adorno regarded Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 as “the first work of modern music”. Adorno’s teacher, Alban Berg, saw in it “the expression of a tremendous love for this world, a longing to live in peace and to savor Nature to its depths – before the arrival of Death. For it will inevitably come.” In 2023, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and their founder Iván Fisher celebrated 40 years together on stage. Mahler’s Ninth has been a staple in their joint repertoire, their interpretation being praised in particular for its straightforward clarity. Together, they performed it at the 2023 Leipzig Mahler Festival and received standing ovations.