Mahler in Amsterdam, 11 May, 2025

Day 3 in Amsterdam started with a real bucket list check: a visit to the van Gogh Museum. We had a excellent guide who took us through the artist's life via important examples of his work, after which we were free to wander.

I took pictures of a few of the well-known paintings but of course nothing matches seeing them in real life. As is always the case in my experience, no matter how well you know these works from books and videos (and I studied art for all six years of high school), nothing prepares you for the real thing. It was such a privilege.

And tonight in the Concertgebouw Mahler Festival it was the third symphony. The NHK Symphony Orchestra from Tokyo was conducted by Fabio Luisi, with Olesya Petrova, mezzo soprano, the Women of the National Radio Choir, and the National Children's Choir.

Yet another stunner. I'm a big fan of Luisi, ever since his concerts with the MSO many years ago. I also saw him conduct the Ring at the New York Met in 2012 when he replaced James Levine at short notice. He's chief conductor of the NHK and they played magnificently. All the vocal parts were stunning, especially Petrova, whose creamy yet crystal clear voice was perfect for Mahler.

The glorious hymn (without voices) to love which is the massive finale of the third symphony is one of my favourite Mahler movements. Tonight didn't disappoint.

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