Performance on 3 - Philharmonia: Berg, Mahler

Presented by Petroc Trelawny. The Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen continue their Vienna, City of Dreams series, exploring music written in the Austrian capital during the early years of the 20th century. The first work, Alban Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra, was composed amid the turmoil of the outbreak of the First World War and finished shortly before he joined the Austrian army. It can be seen as a synthesis between the 'old' pre-war musical world of Mahler and Debussy and the new music theories of Berg's teacher, Schoenberg. The work is complemented by Mahler's Seventh Symphony, written ten years earlier during two summers at the composer's holiday home in the Carinthian mountains. With its sounds of nature and nods to music history from the Viennese waltz to Wagner, it is regarded as one of Mahler's most significant achievements. Philharmonia Orchestra Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor) Berg: Three Pieces for Orchestra, Op 6 Mahler: Symphony No 7 Followed by music by Stravinsky, as chosen by Royal Ballet director Monica Mason. Stravinsky – Firebird Suite Chicago Symphony Orchestra Carlo Maria Giulini (conductor) EMI 5859742-2 CD 4 Tracks 4-9