Upbeat with Alasdair Speaking Series Explores Summer Season Finale

Sun Valley Summer Symphony Music Director Alasdair Neale returns to host his popular Upbeat with Alasdair speaking series on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Titled Mahler’s Symphony No. 2: A User’s Manual, the talk will provide an in-depth preview of the summer season’s final concert, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.

The Upbeat with Alasdair speaking series is held every winter and spring at The Community Library, located at 415 Spruce Ave., Ketchum. It provides an intimate platform for Maestro Neale to share his passion for music-making and his personal take on specific works with the community. This January’s talk will divulge how Mahler explores the various stages of the human condition, including life, death, and rebirth, in his epic Second Symphony.

Mahler’s composition is on nearly every critic’s list of the greatest symphonies ever written. In recalling his first hearing of the piece at age 13, Neale recalls, “it rocked my world – I had never imagined music could have that level of visceral, emotional impact. Something this powerful deserves a user’s manual, and I hope to provide one in this talk.”

The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free, but space is limited, and the event is often full. Those interested are encouraged to make reservations and arrive early. Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or calling the Symphony office at (208) 622-5607.

Individuals unable to attend in person will be able to watch via video live stream on the Symphony’s website. Click here to watch the live stream.