Alexander Briger, the Chief Conductor and founding Artistic Director of the Australian World Orchestra, has programmed Mahler’s Fourth and Fifth Symphonies in one concert. Madness or genius? Clive Paget discusses the two symphonies and the task at hand with Briger and two AWO musicians.

Alexander Briger conducting the Australian World Orchestra
Alexander Briger conducting the Australian World Orchestra in 2021. Photo © Ken Leanfore

Gustav Mahler’s famous credo that a symphony must embrace everything stands as one of music history’s more aspirational statements. Its ambition will be matched this September when the Australian World Orchestra performs two of the composer’s masterworks on the one program under the baton of Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Alexander Briger.

“We aim to be bold with AWO, trying to do...