On 7 July 2010 Kaliště in Czech Republic, where Gustav Mahler was born on this very day 150 years ago, the music world will celebrate one of the greatest composers ever. The renowned Mahler Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Austrian maestro Manfred Honeck, and world famous soloists will commemorate the composer with an unique outdoor live concert.

Gustav Mahler was born into a Jewish family in Kaliště on July 7, 1860 as the second of fourteen children. His exceptional musical gifts became apparent at an early age. He began giving music lessons when he was six, and at fifteen he was admitted to the Vienna Music Conservatory. He embarked on what was to become an extraordinary career as a conductor and operatic administrator when he was barely twenty. Mahler was best known during his own lifetime as one of the leading orchestral and operatic conductors of the day. He has since come to be acknowledged as one of the most important late-romantic composers.

Symphony No. 2 (Totenfeier and excerpts); Rheinlegendchen; Ging heut' morgen übers Feld; Urlicht; Ich atmet einen Lindenduft; Es sungen drei Engel; Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen; Trost im Unglück; Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen; Revelge

Prague Philharmonic Choir; Boni Pueri, the Czech Boys Choir; Mahler Chamber Orchestra; Manfred Honeck, conductor

Thomas Hampson, baritone; Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano; Marita Sølberg, soprano

Length: 90’
HD
Progr. 5814
TV Director: Stein-Roger Bull
Produced by: Nordisk FilmTV, in co-production with Czech TV, NRK-TV, ARTE France and EuroArts Music International