These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving, Gustav Mahler modestly asserted about his Symphony No. 8, scored for three choirs, eight vocal soloists, and an orchestra thats huge even by his standards. For the works 1910 premiere, Mahler amassed about 1,000 musicians, hence its catchy nickname, The Symphony of a Thousand. The Seattle Symphonys gathered about 400 for this weekends performances to celebrate Benaroya Halls 10th anniversary; Gerard Schwarz conducts. After a 25-minute version of the Latin hymn Veni, creator spiritus as hors-doeuvre, the main body of the work, dedicated to his wife/muse Alma, is a setting of the final scene from Goethes Faust, all about the salvation of the old, tired Fausts soul by the spirit of the Eternal Feminine. Any resemblance to the McCain campaign is mere coincidence. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org. $17-$105. 8 p.m. Sat., Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 28. GAVIN BORCHERT
Sat., Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 28, 2 p.m., 2008