Philippe Jordan and Mahler’s Second Symphony
The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía presents an exceptional concert on 1 July 2027: conductor Philippe Jordan makes his Spanish debut leading the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV) in Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony, titled Resurrection. The performance, scheduled for 19:30 in the Auditori, is part of the centre’s 2026-2027 symphonic season and features the Cor de la Generalitat, which celebrates its 40th anniversary with this work.
Jordan, currently musical director of the Vienna Opera and future principal conductor of the Orchestre National de France (from 2027), is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary orchestral conducting. His choice of Mahler’s Second Symphony—composed between 1888 and 1894—reflects its ability to blend the religious, metaphysical, and intimate in a large-scale score. The final movement, with its choral and orchestral climax, is one of the most grandiose moments in the symphonic repertoire, where the choir sings the text Rise again! in a pianissimo evoking the infinite.
Context and relevance
This concert concludes a season in which Les Arts has hosted internationally renowned conductors such as Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Vasily Petrenko, and Sir Mark Elder, reinforcing its role as a benchmark for symphonic music. Jordan, whose career includes leading the Paris Opera and the Vienna Symphony, arrives in Valencia after conducting ensembles like the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, adding to the uniqueness of this debut.
Key information
- Work: Mahler’s Second Symphony (Resurrection), in five movements.
- Duration: Approximately 85 minutes.
- Tickets: From €10, available on the official Les Arts website, at the box office, and by phone (96 197 59 00).
- Recommendation: No age limit, but suggested for ages 7 and up due to the work’s duration and complexity.
For more details about the venue, check the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía profile.
