Agata Zubel | Mahlerowie

It is a musical confrontation – provocative, yet at the same time in a way objective. Two cycles / 9 songs by Alma and two cycles / 9 songs by Gustav. 50:50.

It is also a journey through thrilling worlds that evade comparison. The instrumentation of Alma’s songs that will be performed at the concert were prepared by Agata Zubel, while arrangements of Gustav’s songs for the string orchestra were done by Ernst Kovacic. The redefinition of the string orchestra sound which is an element of that project perfectly matches the idea behind the youngest and the most audacious concert series of Sinfonietta Cracovia – Sinfonietta Nova.

The were separated by almost a generation – Gustav’s wife Alma, nineteen years his junior, was an incredibly talented composer. The musical literature she left behind was so small, but her contribution into music remains quite significant. Just like Gustav, she took a special liking to the genre of song. But here, as well, there is much that separates them: from the choice of lyrics to which they set their music, to the harmonic language, to expression.