The Hallé - A Sea Symphony

Tarmo Peltokoski is joined by a duo of star-studded soloists and two generations of Hallé singers for Vaughan Williams’ immense Sea Symphony, a groundbreaking work in the symphonic and choral repertoire for its use of the chorus and vocal soloists as an integral part of its texture. Crafted around the poetic words of Walt Whitman, the work vividly and poignantly illustrates the journey of the human soul, through the metaphor of intrepid sailors weighing the anchor and exploring the ocean wide. In the first half of the concert, we hear Chen Reiss’ performance of Mahler’s gloriously romantic Rückert-Lieder. Mahler was driven by melody – often incorporating many of his favourites within the symphonies for which he is known – and this quintet of songs contains some of his best.

Tarmo Peltokoski conductor
Chen Reiss soprano
Huw Montague Rendall baritone
Hallé Choir Matthew Hamilton, choral director
Hallé Youth Choir Stuart Overington, director

Mahler Rückert-Lieder
Vaughan Williams Symphony No.1, ‘A Sea Symphony’