Mahler Festival in Amsterdam

In 2020 the world-famous Mahler Festival will take place in Amsterdam, the great Austro-German composer’s “second musical homeland”. Marking 100 years since the first Mahler Festival was held here, this spectacular cultural event will focus on the central theme of ‘Mahler’s Universe’; and ACE is delighted to be returning for two consecutive tours covering the festival’s fortnight. Our first tour, led by Tour Director John Bryden, will cover Symphonies 1–5.

At the heart of a remarkable series of concerts will be a selection of eminent orchestras, ranging from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic to the Berliner Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic. These are presided over by a range of superb conductors, including the prolific Jaap van Zweden – Musical Director of both the New York and Hong Kong Philharmonics – and the award-winning Daniel Barenboim. Players and conductors will be joined by prestigious soloists to bring us the composer’s symphonies. By experiencing a number of Mahler’s works in chronological order, we will come away with an impression of his development as a composer intertwined with his journey through life.

Our musical programme will be supplemented with introductory lectures given by our Tour Director, John Bryden, as well as cultural daytime visits taking in the best of Amsterdam’s heritage. These will include a historical walking tour, visits to the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, and a guided tour of the Concertgebouw. We also hope to include two organ recitals on our first tour, given by John Bryden.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Park Hotel, located in Amsterdam's city centre. All performances take place in the Main Hall (Grote Zaal) of the majestic neoclassical Royal Concertgebouw, a short walk from our hotel. All concert tickets are in category one.

Our first tour will be led by John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO, a member of the Dartington Piano Duo who has played across Britain and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has given concerts in venues ranging from California to Kathmandu via Wigmore Hall.