Mahler's first symphony is not a typical symphony in that it's not abstract music; it does conjure up images of nature and images of heroism.

He's one of the type of people we want to bring in. Many younger musicians are very talented performers but their inexperience makes their performances unpredictable. His ability level and his high level of experience makes a huge difference.

The orchestra plays the first movement as usual, but there are two sportscasters narrating it as if it were a baseball game.

We're playing Mozart's 35th symphony because of the historical significance. It was the first piece the orchestra played when it started in 1982.

The first movement begins in sustained calm with bird calls throughout. The cuckoo's call eventually evolves into a beautiful melody.

It has a lot of references to nature. The beginning sounds like the sun rising and birds chirping.