The Siam Philharmonic Orchestra's Mahler cycle continues on Nov 5 with the enigmatic unfinished masterpiece Symphony No.10, the version completed by Deryck Cooke.

Mahler's final symphony pushes the limits of harmony, tonality and colour and is a tantalising glimpse at what the symphony might have been if Mahler had lived.

Vilmos Olah, one of the foremost European violinists and principal guest concertmaster of the Siam Philharmonic, will lead the orchestra under the baton of Somtow Sucharitkul.

Regarding the recent performance of Mahler's epic Sixth Symphony by Somtow and the Siam Philharmonic, Stan Gayuski of the International Mahler Society said, "The opening martial music was arresting and gripped the audience from the first note and one could sense that a performance of high magnitude was about to happen. No disappointment here.

"While the tempi overall was slower than normally performed, that allowed the music to breathe so as to expose detail a quicker tempo may have otherwise obscured.

"Coming in at a total of one hour and 28 minutes must mark one of the most protracted and expanded performance this side of Leonard Bernstein."

The Mahler project is nearing completion, with the Philharmonic and Sinfonietta having performed symphonies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.

Funded by the generous donations of "Gustav's Angels" who pledge 5,000 baht for each symphony, the series has become one of the first classical music events in Thailand to be financed largely via social networking with contributors from every continent.

"Mahler Symphony No.10" will be performed at the National Theatre on Nov 5 at 8pm. Tickets cost 500, 1,000 and 5,000 baht (half price for students) and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major booths (tel 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com).
For more details, contact Opera Siam on 02-231-5273 or email tickets@bangkokopera.com.