Gustav Mahler's controversial "Symphony No.1 in D minor" will highlight this performance. Its passionate music and folk-based melodies caused a stir at the turn of the century.

Like many composers who pushed the boundaries of their art, Gustav Mahler had great difficulty winning the approval of audiences. Mahler's output is often difficult to grasp even after repeated listening. It is thus not surprising, though unfortunate for posterity, that in his own lifetime he was far better known as a conductor than a composer.

Mahler's No.1 Symphony was not particularly well received at its premiere. There were those who immediately understood the music and others who detested it, so that a lively controversy arose almost immediately after the final notes died out. In a letter to his friend Arnold Berliner, Mahler described its reception as "a mixture of furious disapproval and wildest applause. It is amusing to hear the clash of opinions in the street and in drawing-rooms."

Another programme at the concert is Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No.5" with Jean-Francois Heisser as piano soloist.

In 1991, Jean-Francois Heisser was appointed professor of piano at the Paris Conservatory of Music.

Over the past 10 years, he has co-operated with leading conductors in the world including Zubin Mehta, Myune-Whun Chung, Mark Janowski, Michael Tilson, Charles Dutoit and Kent Nagano.

(Shanghai Star 10/10/2001)