Skip to content

The University of Iowa Libraries

Skip to content
Go to
InfoHawk+
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries

Rita Benton Music Library Blog

PLEASE NOTE



This post is more than two years old. Read it with that in mind. Thank you.
Sep 27 2016

Re-resurrection: Mahler’s Second Symphony at the University of Iowa

Posted on September 27, 2016January 16, 2018 by Katie Buehner

concert program open from 1972 concert featuring Mahler 2

 

Honoring the past

On Wednesday evening, the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra and Choirs will perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor-E flat major, “Resurrection”, marking the first School of Music ensemble performance in the new Hancher Auditorium.

1972 performance of Mahler Symphony No. 2 taken from back of orchestra
A packed house at Hancher Auditorium to hear Mahler’s Second Symphony on September 30, 1972

The selection of this work is a powerful reminiscence for many, as it was performed during the opening weekend of the old Auditorium in 1972 under the direction of James Dixon (UI Symphony Orchestra Director, 1962-1997).

For that performance, the Orchestra was 141 players strong and included many faculty players: Bill Hibbard, viola; Eldon Obrecht, bass; Tom Ayres, clarinet; Ronald Tyree, bassoon; Paul Anderson, horn; Delbert Disselhorst, organ. Kathryn Harvey (soprano) and Janice Roché (mezzo-soprano) were the vocal soloists and the choirs totaled 197 singers. All in all, that placed over 325 performers on stage.

There were two other works performed on the concert; Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture and a world premiere work by Charles Wuorinen, Grand Bamboula for String Orchestra.

Listen to the 1972 recording of Mahler’s Second Symphony

  1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck

  2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlich. Nie eilen.

  3. In ruhig fließender Bewegung; 4. Urlicht; 5. Im Tempo des Scherzos

 

A ‘new beginning’

mahler second symphony program from 1972
Explore the program from the 1972 performance

The Daily Iowan reported that, “Thunderous applause greeted Dixon at the finish of the first piece, and the new world premiere of the Grand Bamboula presented a haunting, mystical, and unique element to the concert. But nothing could surpass the excitement and magnificence of Dixon’s conduction of the symphony by Gustav Mahler. It was truly one of the most incredible moments of music in the history of the University of Iowa…bravos and cheers filled the auditorium at the closing bars…as Dixon reappeared on stage, the audience gave him a 10 minute standing ovation.”

This was not the first time Mahler’s Second Symphony was performed at the University. In 1942, Philip Greeley Clapp (School of Music Director, 1919-1953) led the University Orchestra and Choirs in the work. The 1972 program book reprinted a segment of Dr. Clapp’s program notes for this concert, which were then augmented by student David Lasocki.

“It was a great moment in the lives of the 2,680 audience members – being part of the opening of Hancher Auditorium. The brilliance and magnificence of the evening of September 30, 1972, will make the future years of culture in Iowa more memorable, more meaningful, and historically significant as a ‘new beginning’ for the arts of the midwest,” concluded The Daily Iowan. Now in 2016, 1,800 audience members will have the opportunity to relive that historical moment while creating one of their own on September 28th.

 

hancher inaugural season packet of promotional materials
This packet of materials contains a brochure on the new Hancher Auditorium, a quick facts sheet on the hall’s architectural features, a program for the opening concert and the School of Music Building’s Dedication Concert, and two (used) ticket stubs. Donated to the Rita Benton Music Library by Dr. Frederick Crane.

 

 

 

Posted in News, School of Music HistoryTagged 1972, 2016, James Dixon, Mahler, UI Symphony Orchestra

Post navigation

Welcome to the new Rita Benton Music Library!
The Rita Benton Music Library: A Year in Review

Categories

  • Events
  • Exhibits
  • Exploring Our Sounds
  • In Our Lives
  • New resources
  • News
  • Now Streaming
  • Online Library
  • Recently Added
  • Remembrances
  • School of Music History
  • Sounds From the Field
  • Upcoming Events
  • Year in Review

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Zoia by Automattic.
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries
  • Contact the Libraries
  • Library locations & hours
  • News & Events
  • Help using the Libraries
  • Assistance for people with disabilities
  • Our diversity statement
  • Thank a Librarian
  • Web site/page feedback OR general suggestions
  • UI Libraries other links UI Libraries in the Internet Archive Use and reuse of UI Libraries web content - Creative Commons Staff SharePoint (authentication required)
  • UI Libraries on social media UI Libraries on Instagram UI Libraries on Facebook UI Libraries on Twitter UI Libraries on Pinterest UI Libraries on Tumblr UI Libraries on YouTube UI Libraries on Flickr UI Libraries blogs
  • 100 Main Library (LIB)
  • 125 West Washington St.
  • Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
  • 319-335-5299 (Service Desk)
  • ©2019 The University of Iowa
  • Give a gift to the Libraries!