Orchestra tackles difficult Mahler symphony

One of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra from Germany, is giving two concerts in Shanghai on March 14 and 15.

Under the baton of Italian Riccardo Chailly, the orchestra's music director, they will perform Mahler's "Symphony No. 7" on Friday while the following night they will play Mendelssohn's "Ruy Blas Overture," Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5," "Emperor" and Shostakovich's "Symphony No. 5."

This will mark the first time Mahler's "Symphony No. 7" will be performed in Shanghai as it is considered one of his most difficult and least appreciated pieces.

Written between 1904 and 1905, Mahler conducted its premiere in Prague in 1908.

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra's history stretches back more than 250 years. It was named after the concert hall in which it's based, the Gewandhaus.

Chailly has been the orchestra's music director since the beginning of the 2005/06 season.

Born in Milan, Chailly has conducted some of the world's most renowned orchestras. Before joining Gewandhaus, he was the chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam for 16 years. His discography with DECCA comprises in excess of 150 CDs, many of which have received awards including the Edison Prize and the Gramophone Award, the Diapason d'Or, as well as many Grammy nominations.

Chailly has recorded the complete Mahler symphonies with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under the label DECCA.

Pianist Nelson Freire from Brazil will join the Saturday concert to perform "Emperor."

Since his international career began in 1959, Freire has appeared at virtually every important musical center, in recital and collaborating with such distinguished conductors as Pierre Boulez, Eugene Jochum and Lorin Maazel.

Date: Mar 14, 2014 - Mar 15, 2014

Time: 7:30pm Tickets: 80-1,880 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Phone: 021-962 388

Booking: http://www.ticket2010.com