Resurrection through music, for ever.

What was created, must pass away
what passed away, must rise!
Cease to tremble! Prepare yourself!
Prepare yourself to live!
These lines were written by Mahler for his second symphony 'Resurrection'.
My only experience of this extraordinary work is at the Proms in 1990.
It was in July, time of the annual longer break.
I used to book a few performances to explore the music I liked under great conductors and prestigious orchestras. I did not have the opportunity to do so during the rest of the year.
That friday night, I understood the real power of music.
Margaret Price was singing.

Friday 20 July 1990, 7:30PM

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection'


Margaret Price soprano
Anne Sofie von Otter mezzo-soprano
BBC Symphony Orchestra
London Philharmonic Choir
BBC Symphony Chorus (pre-1932, National Chorus; 1933-4, BBC Chorus; 1935-77, BBC Choral Society)
Andrew Davis conductor

Since then I have never tried to attend the second at a concert hall.
It is the unique utterly intense musical, perhaps mystical, experience of my life.
She was a year or so older than me. She was a marvellous Welsh singer who loved golden retrievers.