Graphic designer René Knip often uses self-designed letters and numbers in his visual identities. Numbers play a special role in the poster series for the Mahler programme, because they are also the most visually dominant element. The connoisseur of music knows that they represent one of the composer’s ten symphonies. The visual elements are reduced to a minimum on most of the posters; the number and the colour dominate the image.

The select audience of the Mahler programme of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra recognises the posters at a single glance. The letters bear the typical, unmistakable signature of graphic designer René Knip. Information other than a web address is therefore superfluous. The figures representing the ten symphonies are more eloquent than a thousand words.