Conducted by Zhang Yi, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) will present Mahler’s “Symphony No. 6 in A Minor” tomorrow night.

To help audience members better appreciate this orchestral work that the composer completed during his middle period, between 1903 and 1904, music reviewer Liu Xuefeng will give a lecture on the work this afternoon at the Shenzhen Concert Hall.

Austrian Jewish composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, noted for his 10 symphonies and various songs with orchestra, is a monumental figure in music history in the late 19th century. Drawing together many different strands of Romanticism, he achieved a new, hard-edged, contrapuntal clarity of instrumentation, and largely expanded the expressiveness of orchestral music.

Often referred to as the “Tragic,” “Symphony No. 6” premiered in Essen in 1906, conducted by Mahler himself. The tragic, even nihilistic ending of the work has been seen as unexpected, given that the symphony was composed at what was apparently an exceptionally happy time in Mahler’s life: He had married Alma Schindler in 1902, and during the course of the work’s composition his second daughter was born.

This symphony is far from being the most popular of his works in contrast to symphonies No. 1, 2, 4 and 5. However, important 20th century Austrian composer Alban Berg praised the work as “the only sixth, despite the ‘Pastoral’” (a reference to Beethoven’s sixth symphony, the “Pastoral”).

The second movement, reflecting the inner struggles of the perfectionist composer, is among the most charming music ever composed by Mahler.

With his life spiraling downward as he lost his daughter, his job and his health in 1907, this piece in retrospect seemed like an ominous prediction for his perils.

Zhang, one of today’s influential young conductors in China, is artistic director of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra. He served as the chief conductor of the National Ballet of China before his present tenure. Learning to play the violin at 5, Zhang studied conducting under professors Xu Xin and Ji Ruikai at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. From 2000 to 2003, he studied at the Saarland University of Music with Max Pommer, a renowned German conductor.

During the past two decades, he has cooperated with many orchestras both at home and abroad, including the China National Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphonitta Orchestra, Macao Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 4

Tickets: 50-880 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (福田区深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D

(Li Dan)