The composer himself called it his «most important»: Gustav Mahler’s massive Eighth has been overawing audiences over and over again since the thunderous applause at its premiere in 1910. The Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester meets for two weeks in Grafenegg to rehearse and perform this masterpiece – before benchmarking itself against such orchestras as the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics at the third Mahler Festival in Amsterdam. A Mahlerfest before the Mahler Festival, followed by a concert in the Elbphilharmonie for good measure!