Colorado MahlerFest Information

Founded in 1987, Colorado MahlerFest celebrates the life, music, and times of the great composer Gustav Mahler during a week-long festival, culminating in an orchestral performance of one of Mahler’s major symphonic works. Thirty-two years ago, performances of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies were the exception rather than the rule. Audiences had opportunities to hear the popular First and Fourth Symphonies, but performances of his larger works were infrequently heard. This inspired Founding Artistic Director Robert Olson to create a festival dedicated to the performance and study of the entire repertoire and life of Mahler. In 2015, Kenneth Woods was appointed MahlerFest’s second Artistic Director. The MahlerFest orchestra’s 100-plus musicians come together from across the United States and other countries for a week of intense music-making where aspirational musicians have a chance to work side-by-side with inspirational mentors. Drawn by their passion for Mahler’s music, they create the Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, and perform what are widely considered the greatest (and most difficult) symphonic creations in the repertoire. Colorado MahlerFest’s continuing contributions to promoting the understanding and knowledge of Mahler’s music have resulted in significant international recognition. In 2005, the International Gustav Mahler Society of Vienna awarded Colorado MahlerFest its rarely bestowed Mahler Gold Medal. MahlerFest was honored alongside the New York Philharmonic, joining such past recipients as the Vienna Philharmonic and Leonard Bernstein.