Mahler's Enigmatic Third Symphony Shines in Illuminating Performance

Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra captivate Carnegie Hall with a powerful rendition of Mahler's ambitious six-movement work.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In a rare live performance of Mahler's Third Symphony, Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra delivered an exceptional interpretation of the composer's sprawling, 110-minute masterpiece at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble navigated the symphony's complex, multi-movement structure with clarity and emotional commitment, guiding the audience through Mahler's journey from the natural world to spiritual transcendence.

Why it matters

Mahler's Third Symphony is considered one of the composer's most ambitious and enigmatic works, making it a relative rarity on concert programs. This performance by the acclaimed Budapest Festival Orchestra and conductor Iván Fischer provided a valuable opportunity for New York audiences to experience the full scope and grandeur of Mahler's visionary composition.

The details

The first movement alone lasted 40 minutes, longer than many complete symphonies, as the orchestra navigated Mahler's swelling melodies and rhythmic ideas emerging from a 'primordial mass.' The ensemble's exemplary playing allowed motifs to shine with the clarity of intimate chamber music, while Fischer's deft touch created moments of great tension and release. Standout solos from the trombonist, concertmaster, and offstage post horn player complemented the warm, bronze-voiced mezzo-soprano soloist and the excellent choral contributions.

  • The concert took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • This was the second of two programs by Fischer and the Budapest players, who were making their first New York appearance in six years.

The players

Iván Fischer

The conductor who led the Budapest Festival Orchestra in this performance of Mahler's Third Symphony.

Budapest Festival Orchestra

The acclaimed orchestra founded by Iván Fischer in 1983, which delivered an exceptional interpretation of Mahler's ambitious work.

Gerhild Romberger

The warm bronze-voiced mezzo-soprano soloist who delivered powerful performances of the solo parts, particularly in the third movement.

Westminster Symphonic Choir

The treble choir directed by Donald Nally that sang the boys' chorus part, offering a lithe and piquant performance.

Young People's Chorus of New York City

The mixed-gender choir directed by Elizabeth Núñez that sang the boys' chorus part alongside the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

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What they’re saying

“Even for an elite orchestra, playing Mahler's Third Symphony can be daunting. Lasting about 110 minutes, it is an audacious, sprawling, intensely demanding six-movement composition, which makes it not just the longest of Mahler's symphonies, but also among the longest works in the symphonic canon, period.”

— Anastasia Tsioulcas (The New York Times)

“Mahler himself pronounced the symphony 'the maddest thing I ever wrote.' And it's still a relative rarity to hear live, though it has become something of a regular recently at Carnegie Hall, where it was performed in 2024 (by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra), in 2025 (David Robertson conducting the Juilliard Orchestra) and, on Saturday, by Iván Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra.”

— Anastasia Tsioulcas (The New York Times)

The takeaway

This powerful performance of Mahler's Third Symphony by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra demonstrated the ensemble's exceptional artistry and endurance, captivating the Carnegie Hall audience with their nuanced interpretation of this ambitious, enigmatic work. The concert underscored the continued relevance and impact of Mahler's visionary compositions in the modern era.