2ND {SECOND} SYMPHONY "RESURRECTION" BY GUSTAV MAHLER {TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY} {TV)
Summary
Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, known as the "Resurrection" symphony, is telecast here on the weekend of John F. Kennedy's assassination as a tribute to the deceased President. In this performance, Leonard Bernstein conducts the New York Philharmonic, with Hugh Ross leading the Schola Cantorum choir and soloists Lucine Amara and Jennie Tourel. Grief and despair mark this symphony's first three movements, punctuated briefly with a bittersweet yearning for peace. The fourth movement introduces an alto solo, professing an innocent childlike song of faith. The symphony's fifth and final movement calls for a mystical and impassioned affirmation of faith. This musical panorama depicting the day of judgment features heavenly horn calls, feverish marches, organ-like chorales, and segments from the "Dies Irae" chant for the dead from the traditional Catholic requiem mass. The chorus's final hushed strains end the pain, doubt, and struggle of the previously heard movements. Alto and soprano solos then join in with "You will rise again my dust, do not tremble. I die only to live. All you have suffered will bring you to God" (translated from the German). The finale is one of triumph with a pealing of bells and an outpouring of organ and full orchestra. Commercials deleted.
(This program contains minor technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program available to the Museum.)
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 24, 1963 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:28:00
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T81:0202
- GENRE: Music; Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Assassination; Orchestral music
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1963
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Gustav Mahler … Composer
- Leonard Bernstein … Conductor
- New York Philharmonic … Symphony Orchestra
- Schola Cantorum … Choir/Chorus
- Hugh Ross … Choral Director
- Lucine Amara … Singer, Soloist
- Jennie Tourel … Singer, Soloist
- John F. Kennedy