Mahler Festival 2025 Concludes with 56,000 Visitors from 56 Countries
'Everywhere, one could feel the love for the music of Gustav Mahler'
With a moving performance of Das Lied von der Erde by the Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of Sakari Oramo, the third Mahler Festival in the history of The Concertgebouw drew to a close. Leading orchestras from Europe, the United States and Asia presented the complete symphonies of Gustav Mahler. Meanwhile, every one of Mahler’s songs was performed in the Recital Hall, accompanied by renowned pianist Julius Drake. All 23 concerts and 11 open-air broadcasts in the Vondelpark were sold out. In total, the festival welcomed 56,000 visitors from 56 countries. Hundreds of thousands more followed the festival via Dutch national radio and television. Over 1,100 musicians took part in the festival. The monumental Symphony No. 8 alone brought 420 performers to the stage simultaneously.
Marina Mahler reflects on the festival
Marina Mahler, granddaughter of the composer and guest of honour, reflected:
“The festival was truly extraordinary. It was one great crescendo – of music, emotion, friendship, love, and exchange. You could feel the deep affection for Mahler’s music everywhere!” Representing the Mahler Foundation, she played an active role throughout the eleven days, delivering introductions and giving numerous interviews. She also visited one of the live open-air broadcasts in the Mahler Pavilion: “The Vondelpark was absolutely wonderful. After listening to the Seventh Symphony there, I found myself wishing I could be in two places at once – to be present there every evening too.”
Simon Reinink, Managing Director of The Concertgebouw:
“This truly was a festival in every sense of the word – a grand celebration of music. Everyone who attended – from musicians to audiences – seemed deeply aware that they were part of a once-in-a-lifetime event, full of unforgettable moments. I saw nothing but radiant, grateful faces. The Mahler Pavilion in the Vondelpark was the proverbial icing on the cake.”
Hundreds of Thousands Tune in via Radio, Television and Social Media
In collaboration with AVROTROS and the participating orchestras, the Mahler Festival 2025 made a major commitment to accessibility by producing broadcasts of all eleven symphonic concerts. A unique achievement: for eleven consecutive days, Mahler’s orchestral works could be followed on Dutch national television and radio via AVROTROS. Hundreds of thousands of Dutch listeners and viewers tuned in. Several concerts will also be broadcast in other European countries, as well as in Japan and the United States. On social media, the festival reached millions of Mahler enthusiasts across the globe, and gained further momentum through the international following of participating orchestras from Berlin, Budapest, Chicago, Tokyo and, of course, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Mahler Festival 2025 – Key Figures
- 56,000 visitors
- 1,300 festival pass holders
- 1,100 participating musicians
- Social media reach: 3.8 million across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
- Audience demographics: 45% international / 55% local
- 23 sold-out concerts
- 19 open-air broadcasts at the Mahler Pavilion
- 2 world premieres
- 10 symphonies
- 10 pre-concert talks
- 52 Mahler songs in the Recital Hall
- 6 orchestras
- 7 conductors
- 5 choirs
- 11 cameras
- 11 live TV broadcasts on NPO2 Extra
- 22 hours of podcast content
- 27 live radio broadcasts on NPO Klassiek
- 2,300 Mahler pins
- Hundreds of thousands of viewers and listeners via radio and television
- Press coverage from 15 countries across Europe, as well as Japan, Korea and the United States
Downloadlink: PRESS PHOTOSYouTube Clips of Mahler Festival |