The Mahler Symphony no. 8 will be performed at two O.C. Tanner Gift of Music concerts on Friday and Saturday, February 19 and 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.  Maestro Thierry Fischer will conduct Utah’s two premiere musical institutions—the Utah Symphony and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir—joined by 50 voices from The Madeleine Choir School and eight renowned soloists: Orla Boylan, soprano; Celena Shafer, soprano; Amy Owens, soprano; Charlotte Hellekant, mezzo-soprano; Tamara Mumford, mezzo-soprano; Barry Banks; tenor, Markus Werba; baritone; and Jordan Bisch; bass.

In a letter to a friend describing his symphony, composer Gustav Mahler wrote “All of my previous symphonies are merely the preludes to this… This one is a source of great joy.”  Composed over a century ago in 1906, it was the last of the celebrated Austrian composer’s works to be premiered in his lifetime. The score of Symphony no. 8 calls for an unusually large number of singers and instrumentalists to be used. At the first performance of this symphony, Mahler’s own publicist referred to this as the “Symphony of a Thousand.” Mahler didn’t approve of the title, but the reference is still often used.  Over 500 singers and instrumentalists will be on the stage in these Gift of Music concerts.

The O.C. Tanner Gift of Music began in 1983 as a gift to the community from Obert C. and Grace A. Tanner of free concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony. This year’s performances will be the 17^th installment in this successful series.

Tickets are required but are free to the public and are limited to those eight years of age and older. They will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, at www.lds.org/events or by calling 801-570-0080 or toll-free 1-866-537-8457.