“These are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving,” Gustav Mahler modestly asserted re his Symphony no. 8, scored for three choirs, eight vocal soloists, and an orchestra that’s huge even by his standards. For the work’s 1910 premiere, Mahler amassed about 1,000 musicians, hence its catchy nickname, “The Symphony of a Thousand.” The Seattle Symphony’s gathered about 400 for this weekend’s performances to celebrate Benaroya Hall’s 10th anniversary; Gerard Schwarz conducts. After a 25-minute version of the Latin hymn “Veni, creator spiritus” as hors-d’oeuvre, the main body of the work is a setting of the final scene from Goethe’s Faust, all about the salvation of the old, tired Faust’s soul by the spirit of the Eternal Feminine. Any resemblance to the McCain campaign is mere coincidence. Benaroya Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street, 215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org. $17-$150. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Sat., Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 28. GAVIN BORCHERT

Thu., Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 28, 2 p.m., 2008