My Take: Heinz Saurer

"At the inauguration of the newly renovated Tonhalle am See, I have the honour of playing the wonderfully lyrical post horn solo in Mahler's 3rd Symphony. It was my childhood dream to be able to play in the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and it makes me proud to take on this important part. I have already played the solo once under the direction of David Zinman, and it was overwhelming. In the 3rd movement, I creep very quietly from the stage to the stairs in the foyer. This is a moving moment for me. During the post horn solo, I only see Paavo Järvi on the screen. Because of the distance and the time delay, the use of the solo becomes delicate. I start when the quiet chords of the orchestra sound. Now the orchestra follows me and my playing. Back then, under David Zinman, a group of tourists came into the Tonhalle during my solo and listened to me in amazement. I was slightly irritated and delighted with my private audience."

Recorded by Melanie Kollbrunner

Translated with DeepL.com