Brian O'Rourke: Staging Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand
Gustav Mahler described his symphony No 8 thus: "Imagine that the universe bursts into song." Clearly Mahler decided that if it did, such a song would be very loud indeed and for the premiere held in Munich in 1910 there were more than 1,000 performers on stage. The composer didn't like the Symphony of a Thousand nickname (attributed to his agent) but it stuck, and it helps us to imagine the immense choral and orchestral forces required to deliver it.
It is rarely performed because of the sheer size and expense involved. The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra's upcoming performance as part of its Mahler season is only its second performance in this country. Some 120 musicians, eight soloists and 600 singers from seven different choirs, including the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, Cór na nÓg and the Lassus Scholars, will all be on stage at the one time.
The man responsible for organising it is Brian O'Rourke, general manager of the RTÉ NSO. A former principal clarinet, O'Rourke became general manager of the orchestra in 2003. "Mahler's work includes 10 symphonies, so while there are immense challenges in staging it, the cycle would be incomplete without it.
" The choirs have been practising individually since January and more recently have been rehearsing in two halves, 300 people together. This weekend all 600 come together for the first time in Griffith College and will be rehearsing with full orchestra from Wednesday." The venue for the performance is the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
The orchestra performed Mahler's first symphony back in September so next weekend marks the culmination of a long relationship with the composer. " There are some intimate moments, but, as you would expect, it's all about the shattering climaxes."
• In conversation with Michael Kelly.
Mahler's Symphony No 8 in E flat major, The Symphony of a Thousand is at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on May 26th. See www.rte.ie/music/nso