Rockford Symphony Orchestra's Classics Series - "Arrival to the Modern Age" on Classical WNIU 90.5

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"Leb' wol! Leb' wol!" (Farewell! Farewell!) Mahler wrote these words into the final pages of his Ninth Symphony, knowing that his failing heart would soon end his life. First performed in 1912, a year after his death, we can now hear the beautiful and poignant Finale to this symphony as a 'farewell' to musical romanticism, which would be symbolically shattered the next year in Paris.

The 1913 premiere of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring sparked a riot among audience members, and signaled the arrival of the Modern Era in music. A century later, the 20th century's most daring and revolutionary work still evokes awe, excitement, anger, and even ecstasy. The RSO plays this thrilling masterpiece for the first time in its history!

Performed at Rockford's Coronado Theater on January 19, 2013

Mahler.......Adagio from Symphony No. 9
Stravinsky...The Rite of Spring