Youth and Experience Unite in Mahler’s First
When 75 young musicians from the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony stepped into rehearsal with the Philharmonic to take on Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, something extraordinary unfolded.
Guided by 70 Philharmonic musicians and Conductor Laureate Josep Caballé-Domenech, the 75 young performers brought new fire, curiosity, and insight to a monumental work. For Caballé-Domenech, the moment carried deep personal meaning—Mahler’s First was the very first piece he conducted at the start of his tenure as Music Director. Returning to it now, surrounded by emerging talent, was a powerful full-circle experience.
The rehearsal room thrummed with connection—notes flying, ideas shared, boundaries blurred. For the Youth Symphony musicians, Mahler became a revelation. For the Philharmonic players, it was a rediscovery. Generations stood shoulder to shoulder, united by a shared passion.Â
This wasn’t just a rehearsal. It was a spark—proof that symphonic music doesn’t stand still. It grows, it adapts, and it thrives when the future steps into the room.
