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APO - Mahler's Symphony No. 9
The Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) will return to the Great Hall at the University of Reading this autumn for a rare and emotionally charged performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. The concert takes place on Saturday 25th October at 7:30pm, marking the orchestra’s first Mahler performance since 2018.
Widely regarded as Mahler’s farewell to life, the Ninth Symphony explores themes of mortality and acceptance. “Mahler’s four-year-old daughter had died just two years before he composed it, and he had recently been diagnosed with a heart condition,” explained Andrew Taylor, APO’s Music Director. “But it’s not a work of morbid introspection - it’s full of colour, contrast, and emotional range. From lilting folk tunes to heroic struggle, biting satire, and an ending so tender it never fails to move me to tears.”
Melanie Hopkin, APO’s Patrons and Outreach Manager - and principal cellist - added: “A Mahler symphony is always an event. It demands vast orchestral forces and places intense physical and emotional demands on the players. It’s rare for an amateur orchestra to take on something so all-encompassing, and we can’t wait to begin rehearsals and share this extraordinary music with our audience.”
As always, APO’s celebrated Concert Virgin scheme offers free tickets - no questions asked - to anyone who’s never experienced a live orchestral performance. It’s our way of welcoming newcomers to the magic of classical music. These complimentary tickets can be reserved via the APO website.
Standard ticket prices are:
£15 for adults (18+)
£10 for under 18s
£7 for members of APO Young, our free fan club for 5–15 year olds
All tickets are available at: https://www.apo.org.uk/next-event/