The Hallé - Mahler's Symphony Number 9

For his finale as Hallé music director, Sir Mark Elder will perform a musical coup! - a new choral work specially composed by high profile composer Sir James MacMillan. Sir Mark wanted a work that involved different parts of the Hallé choral family, and, in response MacMillan’s offered his Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia, setting three sections of John Dryden’s great poem from 1697 in celebration of St Cecilia’s Day, ‘Alexander’s Feast: Or The Power of Music’.

In Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, the composer takes us on a journey from heavy tragedy to brilliant optimism. By choosing it for his bowing out, Sir Mark wishes to showcase the qualities of the Hallé – ‘their fighting spirit, joie de vivre, determination and commitment to their music-making.’