The National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda have released their new album Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 7 on the NSO's own recording label.

The five movements of Gustav Mahler's Seventh Symphony is highly evocative of contrasts between day and night, and as a result, the work is often unofficially referred to as "Song of the Night."  Mahler composed the symphony between 1904 and 1906, and its conclusion is a Dionysian revelry that incorporates unusual instruments such as mandolin, guitar, and almglocken into its rich orchestration. As a whole, the five movements form a cyclic A-B-C-B-A structure.

“It’s always difficult for me to decide which work stands out among Mahler’s symphonies,” said Noseda. "After recording the Seventh, with the superb artistry of the NSO musicians, I formed a special bond with it. For the moment, the Seventh holds a very dear place in my heart, and I hope listeners of our recording enjoy it as much as I do."

Hear the full album below:

 

 

The National Symphony Orchestra is currently in its ninety-fifth season. Since 1985, the orchestra has been an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where it performs live and televised concerts as well as local radio broadcasts. In 2020, the NSO launched its own recording label, which has released several recording projects featuring the orchestra.

Gianandrea Noseda has served as the seventh music director of the NSO since his appointment in 2016. In addition to his position with the NSO, Noseda is the General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House, Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and founding Music Director of the Tsinandali Festival and Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra. He has been the recipient of awards such as the International Opera Awards Conductor of the Year and the Puccini Award.