Gustav Mahler Society in the North and Midlands
We are a group of Mahler enthusiasts based in the Midlands and North of England. In 2016 we began GMS North & Midlands with the aim of creating an interactive informal social group within the GMSUK membership, to coordinate information about Mahler related events in locations north of London, and to meet up from time to time at concerts and other Mahler related events. However we have since gone on to put on our own events, including three successful study days. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Darren, Robin, Penny or Will for more details.
To become a member of the Gustav Mahler Society UK, please click the Join Us button above, fill in the application form and return to the address given. Please note your subscription will cover our group as well.
Robin Taylor (Lichfield) info@mahlersociety.org
Penny Young (Worcester) info@mahlersociety.org
Darren Niman (Manchester) info@mahlersociety.org
Will Peters (Wrexham) info@mahlersociety.org
Our North and Midlands Group are always keen to support community orchestras.
They frequently travel to performances of Mahler in other towns, sometimes near to where they live and sometimes far afield. If you want to know what was happening in Wilmslow, Cheshire, (see the photos) click here.
CONCERTS IN THE NORTH AND MIDLANDS
On Sunday 30 June 2024, in the Kings Hall, Ilkley, Yorkshire, the Airedale Symphony Orchestra played a varied programme featuring works by Shostakovich, Grieg, and concluded with Mahler's Symphony No. 5. For details, see their website: https://www.airedaleso.org.uk/concerts/
The conductor of the Sheffield Philharmonic, George Morton, informed us that the orchestra performed Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 on Saturday 9 November 2024 in Victoria Hall, Sheffield.
GMS UK was delighted to support Classical Sheffield in March 2023 when George Morton and the Sheffield Philharmonic, along with their choir, the Hallam Sinfonia, and their choir, performed Symphony No. 2 with soloists Ella Taylor (soprano) and Anna Harvey (mezzo-soprano).
George wrote to tell us: "All of us involved in the Mahler 2 performance last year were very proud of what we managed to achieve and regularly reminisced! Thanks again for joining us there, it was wonderful to meet you!"
He added that the performance of Symphony No. 4 in November was “again with the magnificent Ella Taylor.” Ella also performed Clara Schumann’s 6 Lieder, Op. 13, in a new orchestration the orchestra had commissioned George to complete. “We were very excited to delve into more Mahler!” he said.
You can see the photo we took of George and Ella after last year's amazing performance. Here's hoping the audience on 9 November was full of GMS UK members, lots of Mahler fans—and even some people who didn’t know Mahler’s music YET!
On 14 March 2024 the China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra performed Mahler Symphony no. 1 at City Hall Sheffield. Their conductor was Daye Lin. The programme included works by Tan Dun and Chausson with soloists Tamsin Waley-Cohen violin and Jiapeng Nie cello.
Click the link to read about the GMS UK North and Midlands Group’s experience of the performance and of and talking with the Sheffield audience.
Follow this link to read about the stunning performance of the European Doctors’ Orchestra performance of Mahler Symphony No. 3 at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 3 September 2023.
September has been a busy month for Mahler fans in Manchester. Follow this link for an account of the Halle Orchestra’s performance of Mahler Symphony No. 9 on 21 September 2023.
Manchester audiences have also heard some music by Alma Mahler, Gustav’s wife. Follow this link to read about the BBC Philharmonic’s performance with Dame Sarah Connolly.
We are always delighted to hear about our members’ own musical activities. Follow the link to see what GMS UK North and Midlands committee member, Penny Young, was up to earlier this year.
We are all impressed by the stamina of our Midlands members!!
So what is the rest of the North and Midlands up to?
If you are a GMS UK member in the North and Midlands please send us any Mahler-related news or updates. We will be happy to post them!