UGA Symphony Orchestra to perform Beethoven and Mahler 1

Join the Hugh Hodgson School of Music UGA Symphony Orchestra for a Friday night concert of two of music’s most celebrated symphonists, Ludwig von Beethoven and Gustav Mahler in Hodgson Hall Feb. 28. The orchestra will be taking on both Beethoven’s and Mahler’s first symphonies; “Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21” by Beethoven and “Symphony No.1 in D Major, ‘Titan’” by Mahler.

“Beethoven’s first carries on the tradition of his predecessors before he goes on his own way. Mahler, on the other hand, revolutionized the form from the very beginning, creating his own, very unique sound,” said Director of Orchestral Activities Mark Cedel.

The last time the UGASO performed Beethoven’s first was Nov. 1995 for the dedication and opening concert of Hodgson Concert Hall. The symphony premiered in Vienna in 1800, which marked a change in music of the time, as Beethoven began adding his own unique style on the classical styles. The innovations in this work are evident from the harmonic suspense of the opening, to the energetic theme of the first and a contrasting lyrical second theme, which features the woodwinds more prominently. The UGASO will be performing works of Beethoven in many upcoming performances to celebrate 250 years of Beethoven.

Mahler’s ‘Titan’ symphony follows the arc of the hero’s journey, which ultimately ends in victory as the symphony ends with an epic chorale theme. “Composing is like building blocks, where new buildings are created again and again, using the same blocks. Indeed, these blocks have been there, ready to be used, since childhood, the only time that is designed for gathering,” the composer said. The Mahler symphony will be the final recital requirement for Jean Gómez, the orchestra’s assistant conductor and DMA candidate.  

Tickets for the concert are $12 for adults and $3 for UGA students. Live-streaming will be available at music.uga.edu/live-streaming. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall located within the UGA Performing Arts Center. For more information about the UGASO and other events, please visit music.uga.edu.