Bringing together the combined forces of the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic, four choirs and a first-class roster of vocal soloists, Sir Mark Elder conducts a rare airing of Mahler's extravagantly monumental Eigth Symphony. Its epic dimensions and staggering vision, requiring vast choirs and an orchestra including blazing brass around the balconies, have earned it the reputation of a work of Olympian proportions. The music, subtle in detail and unavoidably personal in its intensity of utterance yet shattering in its cumulative power, came to Mahler in a white heat of inspiration. The words combine sacred and secular - God with Goethe - in the medieval hymn 'Veni, Creator Spiritus' ('a great confident shout to the skies') and a setting of the final scene of the Faust legend. A live performance of Symphony No.8, with its special challenges, brings a real sense of occasion, preceded here by a dazzling organ improvisation on the symphony's uplifting 'Veni, Creator Spiritus' theme.

Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving.' Mahler on Symphony No.8

6.15pm Pre-concert Event Alma Mahler’s Diaries: A staged presentation of extracts from Alma Mahler’s diaries, revealing a complex life and intimacy with artistic greatness.

The BBC Philharmonic and Hallé concerts will be recorded for BBC Radio 3. The concerts will be broadcast from 5 April on consecutive Mondays at 7.00pm for 10 weeks.