This week has been all about Mahler. I first heard his 3rd Symphony in 2009, performed by the New York Philharmonic, and between the opening theme played by 9 French horns and the off-stage trumpet solo in the 3rd movement, and the breathtakingly gorgeous beginning of the 6th movement, it became an immediate favorite and one I return to frequently. So when the Nashville Symphony announced they were closing their current concert season by performing the 3rd, I blocked off some time and dug out my Mahler books and scores. So far I’ve heard 5 hours of rehearsal and 2 of the performances, and I’m going back tonight to hear the final performance. Ah, Mahler…