Intriguing programmatic notes, deployed by Gustav Mahler to convey the ultra-atmospheric opening of the first of his many inestimably significant contributions to the symphony genre – poetry which was later omitted, after the first few performances of the symphony, so as to allow the audience to determine for themselves where the music would take them.

Our eclectic Kawai Saturday Gala begins its awakening with the world premiere of stellar Yuin composer Brenda Gifford’s Dhawara Miriwa, uncovering the reverence for the natural beauty of the night sky and all it possesses. A dawn chorus of woodwinds heralds the imminent light with Poulenc’s iridescent Sextet, before the warmth of springtime is ushered in by Mahler, ingeniously arranged for 16 players by Klaus Simon, performed by a chamber orchestra of superstars, led by powerhouse maestro Fabian Russell.

Performing

GIFFORD Dhawara Miriwa for clarinet, violin and piano (World Premiere)

POULENC Sextet for piano and winds

MAHLER Symphony No 1 (arr. Simon for chamber orchestra)