Rarely Performed Mahler Piece Ends Symphony Season

The Spokane Symphony Orchestra ends its 1996-97 season tonight with a program consisting entirely of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 3. This concert marks the first time in its 51-year history the orchestra has presented Mahler’s Third.

Performances of the work are rare. No wonder. The symphony requires a huge orchestra of about 100 players, plus an alto soloist and choirs of boys and women.

The symphony, augmented by additional brass, woodwind and percussion players from the Northwest, will be joined by boys from the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus, women from the Symphony Chorale and soloist Linda Caple. The symphony’s music director, Fabio Mechetti, will conduct.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. with a pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. by Richard Evans, chairman of the Music Department at Whitworth College. Tickets range from $28 to $13 and are available at the Symphony box office in the Seafirst Building, 624-1200, and at G&B outlets, 325-SEAT and (800) 325-SEAT.

, DataTimes