MMM | Abbado Conducts Mahler's Second Symphony

21 JAN 2024: This emotional performance of Gustav Mahler's 2nd symphony – “The Resurrection” – is set to become a magic moment of music.

In 2003, after a battle with cancer, Claudio Abbado feels strong enough to take up the orchestra baton once again. For his return to the stage, he chooses Gustav Mahler's 2nd Symphony, also known as the “Resurrection Symphony” – a gigantic work fit for an orchestra of superlatives. On this occasion, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra is made up of specially selected soloists and orchestral and chamber musicians with whom Abbado has performed on all the world’s stages. It is a distinguished “orchestra of friends” that celebrates his return to life together with him.

This magic moment grapples with such questions as the meaning of life, love, freedom and suffering – themes that run through Mahler's music as well as the life story and personality of Claudio Abbado. “I shall die in order to live” goes the text of the Resurrection Symphony. During the concert, the conductor Abbado – still unwell with cancer – sings along with the choir. It is a profoundly emotional moment, not just in the life of the conductor but in classical concert history.

For this episode, the orchestra musicians relive the poignant atmosphere of this magic moment: Renaud Capuçon, Emmanuel Pahud, Reinhold Friedrich, and Antonello Manacorda share their memories of their collaboration with Abbado and the occasion of this unique interpretation of Mahler's music.

Duration 43 min / 52 min
English series title Magic Moments of Music
Author Magdalena Zięba-Schwind
Producer Lily Küntzle
Executive Producer Claus Wischman
Co-Producer Christopher Janssen
Distribution VOD C Major
Production Company ZDF/Arte, sounding images
Production year 2023