PLAINFIELD – The climax of the 104th season of the Plainfield Symphony will be the concert on Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m., “Journey Through the Night,” presenting Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 in E minor; perhaps, the least performed of his symphonies but one of pure genius. The performance will be preceded by Charles Prince’s “Chat with Charles,” where he will share his passion and personal insights into this work.
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) composed his Symphony No. 7 in E minor primarily during the summers of 1904 and 1905. This symphony may be considered the least known of all his symphonies and features a large-scale orchestra. Its five movements begin and end with two formidable movements with a somewhat sinister Scherzo as the center, surrounded by the two Nachtmusiks (Night Music).
Mahler begins the first movement with a Tenor (Baritone) Horn solo, an instrument very rarely included in symphonic works but perfectly suited to the dark, brooding melody which begins the piece. The first Nachtmusik is an Allegro moderato that portrays the feeling of a nocturnal patrol. The middle Scherzo (“Schattenhaft,” literally “like a shadow”) reminds one of a grotesque dance scene from the spirit realm. The second Nachtmusik is an Andante amoroso serenade intimately colored by the sounds of a guitar and a mandolin. The lasts movement brings us into the brightness of day with a rondo combined with a set of eight variations, including parodies of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
Do not miss the opportunity to experience this rarely heard work performed by the talented musicians of the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Charles Prince, who shares his life-long passion and knowledge of Mahler with our Plainfield audience. Come early to hear the “Chat with Charles,” beginning at 6 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
Tickets are on sale online at https:/ /www.plainfieldsymphony.org/ and available at the box office on the day of the concert. All concerts are performed at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church at 716 WatchungAve, Plainfield NJ and begin at 7 p.m.
