San Francisco Symphony

Two poignantly beautiful masterpieces are featured in this concert. Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony’s passion and power make it one of his most enduring works. Although Mahler called it a symphony, his Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) is actually a song cycle for tenor, low voice, and orchestra set to German texts translated from Chinese poetry. One of Mahler’s most deeply personal works, the songs explore the complexities of life and death. From its opening melancholy drinking song to its piercingly beautiful farewell, Das Lied von der Erde is one of the finest fusions of words and music ever written.