Together with his 9th Symphony, Gustav Mahler’s masterwork Das Lied von der Erde is somewhat enigmatic; not a symphony, not a song cycle, not a cantata, with the unbelievable, incredible, essential “Der Abschied” as probably the highest point in Mahler’s work. Soon, to be performed in Copenhagen with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. On the program is another Farewell Symphony, Schubert’s immortal and no less enigmatic “Unfinished” symphony.

A small, nice tour to Taiwan with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, conducting Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony and Bruch’s Violin Concerto with Paul Huang. Sorry for putting the cover of this beautiful, old recording by Mravinsky and the Leningrad Philharmonic (even if I make different tempo and phrasing choices)… But Mravinsky could be so essential, intense, straight to the core, especially in his late years—a conductor I love and admire.

With the wonderful Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.