Right now on SiriusXM, Symphony Hall, Channel 54, Ray and I are listening to Mahler’s First Symphony, the third movement—the Funeral March, to be specific. This movement was based on a satirical woodcut Mahler had seen, in which a group of forest animals conduct a funeral for a hunter. Mahler uses the familiar French melody of “Frère Jacques” to draw the listener in, then shifts the music into something much more complex. The music is also inspired by the folkloric klezmer tradition of Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe, a heritage that reflects his Jewish roots. In all his symphonies, Mahler draws on his personal experience to shape his music, making it arresting, compelling, and relatable.

We primarily listen to Classical KUSC FM, our first choice for music here at the orange grove. We enjoy learning about different composers, and KUSC is a good learning tool because the radio hosts often tell stories about the composers and the works they are exploring. We augment this information by attending pre-concert talks at Disney Hall before specific performances. These are often hosted by Alan Chapman, who is one of the radio hosts we listen to on KUSC. We also had the benefit of attending The Mahler Project in 2012, conceived and conducted by LA Phil’s music and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel. Sadly, after seventeen years, this is Dudamel’s last season in Los Angeles, as he heads to the New York Philharmonic at the end of June.

So, Ray and I are celebrating New Year’s Day by listening to music we both love. Surely, this is an auspicious beginning to a brighter, happier, and, hopefully, more uplifting 2026.