CCM Philharmonia presents 'Mahler and the Eternal' on April 22

Join the CCM Philharmonia as they celebrate the close of another fantastic season with Mahler and the Eternal at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Corbett Auditorium. The performance features Onward! by CCM alumnus Brian Nabors (MM Composition, ’15; DMA Composition, ’19)  and Gustav Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with faculty artist Stuart Skelton, tenor, and alumni guest artist Catherine Martin (MM Voice, '09), mezzo-soprano. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

Onward (2019), by CCM alumnus Brian Raphael Nabors opens the concert. Through richly orchestrated melodies and masterful treatment of rhythm, Nabors envelops listeners in his perpetually moving soundscape, transporting them on a fantastic expedition through the triumphs and growth experienced in life. “I aspired to create a musical journey,” Nabors says, “depicting the moments of discovery, innovation, and change that continually push us and our world into the future.” This work highlights the bright futures of the CCM student performers, and celebrates the many students graduating this year. 

Considered by many to be Gustav Mahler’s “greatest symphony,” Das Lied von den Erde (The Song of the Earth) is a pillar in the orchestral cannon. Unparalleled in its grandeur, this orchestral song cycle sees the use of a massive orchestra and innovative genre. Das Lied von den Erde was composed in 1908-09 and is Mahler’s penultimate work. The text for the six song movements was drawn from Hans Bethge’s Die chinesische Flöte, a reimagining of classical Chinese poems. In 1907, Mahler faced several great tragedies, including his forced resignation as Director of the Vienna Court Opera, the sudden death of his eldest daughter, and his diagnosis with a congenital heart defect. It is believed that Mahler found solace in Bethge’s writing, and his retrospective views of love, life and eternity are richly present all throughout Die Lied von den Erde.

Combining the genres of symphony and song-cycle, Mahler’s unique work features two alternating vocalists. This concert sees the CCM Philharmonia joined by renowned guest artist and alumna Catherine Marin, mezzo-soprano, and CCM faculty artist Stuart Skelton, tenor, in an awe-inspiring display of virtuosic artistry and rich musicality. You don’t want to miss this celebratory concert! Get your tickets now through the CCM Box Office.

CCM Philharmonia
Mark Gibson, music director and conductor
Featuring faculty artist Stuart Skelton, tenor; and alumni guest artist Catherine Martin, mezzo-soprano

CCM's first performance in over a quarter of a century of Mahler's penultimate masterwork features one of the world's outstanding Mahlerians, Stuart Skelton, and acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Catherine Martin. CCM alumnus Brian Raphael Nabors’ (MM Composition, ’15; DMA Composition, ’19) Onward! opens the concert, an apt prelude to Mahler's discourse on life, love and eternity.

NABORS: Onward! (2019)
MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde ("The Song of the Earth") (1908-09)

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22

Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village 
University of Cincinnati

Tickets are $25; student discounts and group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-Box Office!

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. 

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

Featured image at the top: The CCM Philharmonia performs on stage. Photo/Andrew Higley.