Sir Simon Rattle and Lucy Crowe

Serenity, beauty and the sense of an ending infuse music by Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler, preluded by Roberto Gerhard’s immersive soundscapes.

Richard Strauss’ almost overwhelmingly beautiful Four Last Songs for soprano and orchestra were the German composer’s final works. Running through each lavishly scored song is an autumnal warmth and the sense of acceptance in the face of death.  

In the final movement of his Symphony No 4, Mahler glimpses heaven through the eyes of child. It’s the emotional centre of a work that’s rich in imagery and moods. 

The concert begins with Roberto Gerhard’s Collages from 1960, an exploration of the relationship between human and nature through a tapestry of orchestral and electronic sounds. 

The translucent purity of Lucy Crowe’s soprano voice is perfect for Mahler’s crystalline textures and Strauss’ soaring lines. Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO bring experience to Mahler, and a sense of adventure to Gerhard’s sonic kaleidoscope.