Mahler Festival: Budapest Festival Orchestra and Iván Fischer — Mahler's Symphony No. 5

About the Event

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of classical music with Gustav Mahler’s timeless compositions at the stunning Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Led by Iván Fischer, the Budapest Festival Orchestra will bring Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 to life—an emotional powerhouse known for its profound declaration of love.

Iván Fischer, known for his poignant remark, 'The beauty of Mahler always hurts,' steers the performances at the Mahler Festival. Today, he presents the deeply stirring Fifth Symphony, a highlight of Mahler's golden period. Composed during a time of passionate personal upheaval after meeting his soulmate Alma, Mahler’s score resonates with vibrant life and heartfelt adoration in the renowned Adagietto.

Regarding Symphony No. 5, Mahler himself observed, 'Each movement attracts both admirers and critics.' He reveled in the fact that it evoked a spectrum of feelings. Following three symphonies with vocal elements, this all‐instrumental masterpiece continues to confront with its emotional depth—alternatingly triumphant and somber, consistently passionate. Mahler described it as embodying 'the sum total of my own suffering.'