The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra will present its Tenth Season grand finale concert, “Mahler,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at The Johnny Mercer Theatre, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave.

The orchestra and chorus will combine to perform Gustav Mahler’s passionate and expressive Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection.” In a work that contemplates life’s most existential questions, the Phil has chosen to close out its Tenth Season in dramatic fashion as they look forward to their next decade of success.

The season finale will be conducted by music director candidate Joseph Young. Young is increasingly recognized as “one of the most gifted conductors of his generation,” and is the newly appointed Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Artistic Director of Ensembles at the Peabody Conservatory. He recently concluded a four-year tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony during which time he conducted more than 50 concerts per season with the Atlanta Symphony. Young also served as the music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, where he was the driving force behind the ensemble’s artistic growth.

Saturday night’s finale will begin with a free pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. by John Canarina, a musical scholar and Maestro Young who will share their thoughts and insights on the evening’s music program.

“Savannah’s Philharmonic is excited to have expanded its search for a new music director to include our season finale guest conductor Joseph Young,” Savannah Philharmonic Executive Director Terri O’Neil. “The audience will have an opportunity to observe his skills and weigh-in on the search process by participating in a short electronic survey which will be emailed to attendees following the concert.”

Hailed as “nothing short of sensational” by Opera magazine and “a real creature of the stage” by Opera News, the Savannah Philharmonic also will welcome soprano Sari Gruber to the stage during the season finale performance. She will be joined on by the vivacious Irish mezzo-soprano, Tara Erraught, who, according to the New York Times, possesses “a beautifully formed mezzo-soprano voice.” The chorus will be conducted by the Philharmonic’s Chorusmaster, Dr. Matt Caine.

Subscriptions are available to the upcoming eleventh season, where audience members can engage in the search for Savannah Philharmonic’s new music director. The full season programming can be viewed at savannahphilharmonic.org. New and renewing subscriptions are available through the Savannah Box Office located at 216 E. Broughton St., from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 912-525-5050, option 1.