San Francisco Symphony - Mahler's Fourth

A Child's vision of Heaven

Michael Tilson Thomas picks up the baton once more for this recital of Mahler's glorious Fourth Symphony. Taking us through the joy of life, the fear of death and all of the complex emotions in between and leading us to an unmatched choral finale, this gorgeous work still has the power to truly stir the soul.

Unusually, Mahler composed this symphony backwards from the song 'The Heavenly Life'. Originally intending include it in his Third, he found himself somewhat taken and inspired by the piece and decided to base the Forth around it, leading many to link the two works as one in their enjoyment.