In June, Gerard Schwarz ended his 26 seasons at the head of the Seattle Symphony with a grand and immense work that also happens to be a specialty of his and the orchestra’s. His m.o. was to end each season with a symphony by Mahler, and for his envoi he chose the Second, the “Resurrection,” with its choral finale setting composer-penned verse about conquering death. With a sense of occasion, the orchestra played the heck out of it, and Schwarz spurred them to shattering climaxes that inspired some listeners to applaud during the music. GAVIN BORCHERT seattlesymphony.org. The new season starts Sept. 17.