The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will present “Wen-pin Chien Conducts Mahler’s Resurrection” on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Taipei National Concert Hall.

Have you ever pondered the meaning of life? Does death signify the end of everything, or the beginning of something new? Gustav Mahler wrestled with these profound questions in his Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection”. On the evening of April 5th, the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of well-known conductor Wen-pin Chien, will present this monumental work. Joining the performance are soprano Han Shiao, alto Yu-hsin Wang, and the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus. This performance promises to lead the listeners on a powerful musical exploration of life, death and ultimate redemption. 

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is an expansive and deeply emotional work that took years to complete. Conceived in 1888 and finished in 1894, it began as a symphonic poem and later evolved into a full five-movement symphony. In the final movement, although initially concerned about comparisons to Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Mahler found inspiration in the German poet Friedrich Klopstock’s poem Die Auferstehung (“The Resurrection”) that he heard at a funeral. He eventually incorporated the poem as the choral text, symbolizing life’s transcendence and renewal.

The first three movements take the audience on an experience of life’s multifaceted aspects - its struggles, joy, mediocrity, and hopeless resignation. The piece takes a profound turn in the fourth movement, 'Urlicht' (Primal Light). Mahler chose the rich,  grounded timbre of the alto voice, representing a faint yet steadfast glow in the darkness, guiding listeners toward the symphony’s ultimate revelation.