Classical: Maazel to deliver a Mahler to die for

For nearly half a century, Lorin Maazel has been one of the world's most eminent conductors,

writes Neil Crutchley

Lorin Maazel

He has made countless recordings and has been in charge of such renowned institutions as the Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna State Opera and New York Philharmonic.

As far back as 1967, Harold C Schonberg included the-then 37-year-old Maazel in his influential book, The Great Conductors, describing him as possessing "a neo Toscanini-like clarity and objectivity" and stating he was "a candidate for greatness."

Forty-two years on, we can see that this last sentence was prophetic.

Maazel is well known for his clear, detailed, exciting performances, which are never overblown or indulgent.

This characteristic is undoubtedly a good thing when it comes to Mahler – and it is a Mahler symphony (No 9) that he's conducting when he appears at De Montfort Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra at 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 2.

The 9th is Mahler's last completed symphony and is a large-scale, death-obsessed work, described by Leicester-born musicologist and Mahler authority Deryck Cooke as being "a naked encounter with the arch enemy (death) himself, who invaded the music, turning everything to dust and ashes".

It's clearly no easy ride, but for those who love Mahler's music, it's considered a great experience – and Maazel's should be fine performance. It will be preceded by Mozart's Violin Concerto No.3 with Arabella Steinbacher (violin).

Tickets range from £29 to £8.50, with concessions. Ring 0116 233 3111.

This coming Saturday, at 7.30pm, at the same venue, Leicester's Bardi Symphony Orchestra will be performing a gala concert in aid of the Hope Against Cancer charity.

A varied programme of popular orchestral and operatic pieces concludes with the traditional Last Night of the Proms fare of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Arne's Rule Britannia and Parry's Jerusalem.

The guest conductor is Mark Fitz-Gerald and the soprano soloist Jenny Saunders.

It promises to be an enjoyable occasion, in aid of a very worthy cause and tickets are priced at £9 to £15, with concessions. Telephone number as above.