Mahler & Zander: This Weekend

World renowned conductor Benjamin Zander returns to Northeast Ohio to lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra for two performances of Gustav Mahler’s 9th Symphony including, for the second time in the ASO’s 60-year history, an encore performance at Severance Hall in Cleveland. The concert will be performed first at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall on Saturday, March 20 at 8:00 PM with the repeat performance at Severance Hall the following afternoon on Sunday, March 21 at 3:00 PM.

An hour prior to each performance, Maestro Zander will give an explanation of the symphony. Admission is free for ticket buyers and strongly encouraged as Mr. Zander is famous for the passionate and exhilarating way he takes audiences behind the music, creating a unique and riveting concert experience for novice and experienced listeners alike.

The Akron Symphony made its Severance Hall debut with Zander in February 2008 with a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.” The event was later recalled as “one of the year’s most thrilling musical events” by Donald Rosenberg of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Tickets are on sale now for both the Akron and Cleveland performances. For tickets or more information about Mahler & Zander on March 20 at E.J. Thomas Hall, please call the Akron Symphony Ticket office at (330) 535-8131 or online at Ticketmaster.com. For tickets or more information about Mahler & Zander on March 21 at Severance Hall, please call the Cleveland Orchestra at 800-686-1141 or online at ClevelandOrchestra.com.

Those wishing to attend both concerts can receive $5.00 off admission to the March 21 performance by presenting their ticket stub from the March 20 concert to the Severance Hall ticket office.

In addition to the concerts, Maestro Zander will present a talk, “Experiencing The Art of Possibility,” on Thursday, March 18 at the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Kulas Hall at 4:00 PM. Zander, co-author of the best-selling book, The Art of Possibility, in known throughout the world as a speaker (including The World Economic Forum at Davos and the famed TED conference) with his exuberant message of music as a metaphor for leadership. The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact CIM’s Concert and Events Office at (216) 791-5000.