Going Against Fate

Gustav Mahler’s 6th symphony is the composer’s most impassioned, personal work. This film follows the charismatic American conductor, David Zinman, and the Zurich Tonhalle-Orchestra as they rehearse, perform and record Mahler’s symphony. Going behind the scenes, Viviane Blumenschein illuminates the creative processes at work in interpreting Mahler’s score through fascinating interviews with musicians, sound recordists and the conductor. Meanwhile Zinman’s voice-over offers informed insights into the composer’s personal life and the emotional origins of his opus – his existential searching, self-doubt and grief over the tragic death of his daughter. Zinman has spent many years getting to grips with Mahler’s oeuvre and here he displays his deep understanding of the composer’s creative world. Blumenschein offers us a powerful audio-visual experience that brings to light the essence of Mahler’s masterpiece. (DOK.fest München)