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Stambaugh Auditorium and the Dana School of Music
Collaborate to Present
Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2
Friday, April 26, 8:00 p.m.
Stambaugh Auditorium

Stambaugh Auditorium and the Dana School of Music collaboratively announce the Gala Dana Festival Orchestra and Chorus Concert featuring Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, commonly called the Resurrection Symphony on Friday, April 26, 8:00 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Avenue, Youngstown, OH.

Guest Maestro Svilen Simeonov from Sofia, Bulgaria will conduct as part of YSU’s Bulgarian Cultural Exchange. Nearly 250 choral and instrumental musicians will perform this 80-minute piece, including musicians from the Dana School of Music, Stambaugh Chorus, area music teachers, and players from the Youngstown Symphony, Warren Philharmonic, Greenville Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, among others. In addition, Dana faculty members Misook Yun and Rachael Pavloski will perform vocal solos, and Dr. Ronald Gould, former Dana faculty member, will perform on Stambaugh Auditorium’s E.M. Skinner Opus 582 pipe organ. It is worth noting that this Symphony will be performed with all volunteer musicians.

A variety of master classes and rehearsals, open to the public and conducted by Maestro Simeonov and other members of the Dana faculty will occur. A complete schedule is below.

NPR characterizes this work as an all-embracing work, the first of the Austrian composer’s symphonies to make use of voices and words as well as the orchestra, and the piece that set him decisively on the path toward the grandly scaled, high individualist and confessional style of symphony that was to become his legacy. It was also the composition that brought Mahler his first fame, and its premiere in Berlin on the night of Dec. 13, 1895 (staged with the help of Richard Strauss), marked the real beginning of Mahler’s career as a composer.

Symphony No. 2 is the work with which Mahler answered the metaphysical challenge of Beethoven’s Ninth. There are a lot of similarities along the way — the turbulent beginning, the vast exploration of musical territory in the middle of the work and the triumphant conclusion. In the final movement, all 38 and- a-half minutes of it, the ramparts are being climbed and the noise and confusion of battle surround you. Using off-stage instruments to explode the musical space was one of Mahler’s favorite devices, and trumpets sound from different sides of the stage in this movement. He engulfs the listener in something beyond the reaches of the concert hall.

Dr. Michael Crist, Director of the Dana School of Music, said, “Performing a Mahler symphony is a true privilege. Many musicians have not experienced this opportunity, and for many it is a ‘bucket list’ dream. Even the major symphony orchestras sparingly schedule performances of these works because of the resources required to produce a successful performance. A good performance of a Mahler Symphony is a sign of musical strength.”

“Stambaugh Auditorium is excited to be a part of the presentation of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.  The collaborative effort involving so many organizations is great not only for Stambaugh Auditorium and YSU, but also the community as well.  For the audience, this concert will be a rare opportunity to see and hear such a large ensemble of great musicians in one of the finest concert halls in the country,” said Matt Pagac, General Manager of Stambaugh Auditorium.

The concert is $5 for all adults and free for all students, regardless of the school they attend. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 330-259-0555, in person at the Stambaugh Auditorium Box Office, or online at www.stambaughauditorium.com.

Additional information regarding the master class and rehearsal schedule should be directed to the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636.

Monday, April 22

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mahler Orchestra Rehearsal | Orchestra/Band Room Bliss Hall

6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Mahler Chorus Rehearsal | Bliss Recital Hall

Tuesday, April 23

11:00 a.m. – 12 noon & 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Music Appreciation Classes | RM 3137

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Flute Master Class | Bliss Recital Hall

7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Mahler Orchestra Rehearsal | Orchestra/Band Room Bliss Hall

Wednesday, April 24

10:00 a.m. – Noon: Mahler Orchestra Rehearsal | Orchestra/Band Room Bliss Hall

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Conducting Students | Band/Orchestra Room Bliss Hall

7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Mahler Orchestra Rehearsal | Band/ Orchestra Room Bliss Hall

Thursday, April 25

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Vocal Students Master Class | (Location TBD)

Friday, April 26

12 noon Clarinet Seminar | Bliss Hall Room 3136