Signature Series: Darkness to Light

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 at 07:30 pm UTC-05:00

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts | Annapolis

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Publisher/HostAnnapolis Symphony Orchestra
Signature Series: Darkness to Light Darkness to Light - Mahler Symphony No. 5
Friday, November 7, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
7:30 PM at Maryland Hall
Jean Sibelius The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22, No. 2
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5
Sibelius’ The Swan of Tuonela opens the evening with its dark, dreamlike beauty. Inspired by Finnish mythology, this atmospheric tone poem depicts a swan gliding through the waters of the underworld, its song carried by the haunting voice of the English horn. With rich, brooding harmonies and a sense of quiet inevitability, Sibelius transports the listener to a world both distant and deeply moving.
Mahler’s 5th Symphony moves between powerful, mournful themes in the opening funeral march, to moments of joyful exuberance in the Scherzo, to a slow, intensely lyrical movement for strings and harp in the famous Adagietto, and ending with a massive rondo. The music is an emotional odyssey that moves from darkness into radiant light, punctuated by longing, exuberance, and finally, triumph. Throughout the performance, expect virtuosic solos from ASO Principal Horn Alex Kovling and ASO Principal Trumpet Christopher Sala, among others.
Where Have I Heard This Before?
Herbert von Karajan, conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 34 years, once said that when you hear Mahler’s 5th, “you forget that time has passed. A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience.” The beautiful Adagietto movement is perhaps the most familiar piece of Mahler’s musical output. Leonard Bernstein conducted it during the funeral mass for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on June 8, 1968. Featured in the 1971 Luchino Visconti film Death in Venice, it was also used in commemorative events following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 5, Performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Myung-Whun Chung, conductor. Click here to listen.
THANK YOU! This performance is made possible in part with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC.org) and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC.org).

Build Your Own season and enjoy total flexibility with our FlexPass Subscription. Choose between 3 or 4 Signature Series concerts on either Friday or Saturday evenings!

Event Venue

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St, Annapolis, MD 21401-3530, United States

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Annapolis

Dan Navarro
Fri, 07 Nov at 01:00 am Dan Navarro

Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis

Siren's Call
Fri, 07 Nov at 05:00 pm Siren's Call

The Westin Annapolis

Eli Lev at Unity by the Bay Church
Fri, 07 Nov at 07:00 pm Eli Lev at Unity by the Bay Church

Unity by the Bay (Maryland)

50th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet
Fri, 07 Nov at 07:00 pm 50th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

DoubleTree by Hilton (Annapolis, MD)

Wishbone Ash
Fri, 07 Nov at 07:00 pm Wishbone Ash

Rams Head On Stage

North Mississippi Allstars
Fri, 07 Nov at 08:00 pm North Mississippi Allstars

Rams Head On Stage

Pete Correale at Rams Head On Stage
Fri, 07 Nov at 08:00 pm Pete Correale at Rams Head On Stage

Rams Head On Stage

Noelle & Jeff Full Band!
Fri, 07 Nov at 10:00 pm Noelle & Jeff Full Band!

Middleton Tavern

Parking Veterans Classic: Tulsa vs Rhode Island, Navy vs Yale
Fri, 07 Nov at 11:00 pm Parking Veterans Classic: Tulsa vs Rhode Island, Navy vs Yale

Alumni Hall - Navy

Veterans Classic: Tulsa vs Rhode Island, Navy vs Yale
Fri, 07 Nov at 11:00 pm Veterans Classic: Tulsa vs Rhode Island, Navy vs Yale

Alumni Hall - Navy

Sacred Pause - a mini day retreat
Sat, 08 Nov at 09:00 am Sacred Pause - a mini day retreat

The Graduate Hotel Annapolis

Annapolis is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Annapolis Events