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Happy birthday Gustav #Mahler (Kalist, now Czech Republic, 1860). Few, if any will say he’s the best or the most important conductor, but that really that doesn’t matter, he is my favorite conductor and there are many reasons for this, I’ll mention a few in this short thread. 
He wrote symphonies and Lieder, beautiful, breathtaking ones. His sensibility developed from early life, listening to marching bands near his home, soldiers singing with gusto and above all, the sounds of nature that echoed his own inner life experience.
He battled to be heard throughout his musical career. From his days at Conservatory in his teens, finding visiting conductor work, to fighting to get his own compositions played.
#Mahler Introductory thread of #DasLied (DLvdE) The first three songs are briefly analyzed. I included streaming options, the poems have links on each of them as well, so you can read as you listen.
Hope you enjoy it!
Hope you enjoy it!
Mahler completed Das Lied von der Erde in September 1908. It was his intent not numbering it a ‘Ninth Symphony’ for the superstitious belief that ‘no great composer lives to create after his Ninth’.
He first thought of calling the symphony Das Lied vom Jammer der Erde (The Song of the Misery of the Earth), but he settled on DLvdE because according to his friend Richard Specht: Mahler was emotionally drained and felt that a ‘farewell’ described more clearly his experience.
This is a brief introduction to Gustav #Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde (DLvdE). This is Part 1 of 3. The next two parts will be up next week. A six song symphonic composition by the Austrian giant. In many ways DLvdE reiterates the expressive range of Mahler’s creativity.
During a turbulent time in his life Mahler worked to compose a song cycle from ancient Chinese poetry, he also incorporated the anhemitonic pentatonic scale system, that gave the composition a new feel and engagement with its listeners.
I’ll discuss in brief detail what led to the creation of DLvdE. Why did this work signify for Mahler calling it his most personal composition. And above all, why does this oeuvre move us very differently than his other works. Finally, I’ll suggest some listening material.
#MahlerToday Exactly 116 years ago, one of the biggest treasures for Mahler lovers was created: the Welte-Mignon recordings of Mahler playing 4 of his works on the piano.
He recorded all in a single session on November 9th, 1905 at the Welte-Mignon recording studios in Leipzig.
He recorded all in a single session on November 9th, 1905 at the Welte-Mignon recording studios in Leipzig.
According to texts published by the Welte company, "the artists were seated before a grand piano equipped with the Welte system, it automatically replayed the tempo, phrasing, dynamics, and pedalling of a particular performance, and not just the notes of the music"
Mahler's comments in Welte's visitor's book are briefer than those of most of Welte's other recording artists, but nevertheless, show that he was deeply impressed: 'In astonishment and admiration, I join those who have preceded me [in this book]. Gustav Mahler.'
#AboutMahler In daily life.
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During his time as the Head of the Vienna State Opera, Gustav Mahler lived in a fourth-floor apartment at Number 2 "Auenbrugger" alley and had a fairly well-established routine:
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During his time as the Head of the Vienna State Opera, Gustav Mahler lived in a fourth-floor apartment at Number 2 "Auenbrugger" alley and had a fairly well-established routine:
7 AM - Gustav woke up promptly at this time, whether he had conducted or not the night before and after a cold shower, had breakfast in his room while reading Goethe, Nietzsche, or the Wunderhorn. Later, he dedicated two hours of work to the composition or revision of his works.
10:30AM - Gustav began his 45-minute walk to the theatre.
2:30PM - On his way back close to his home, Mahler would start whistling the first theme of Beethoven's Eighth Symphony to let the cook know to serve the soup. It was not uncommon to invite a friend to eat.
2:30PM - On his way back close to his home, Mahler would start whistling the first theme of Beethoven's Eighth Symphony to let the cook know to serve the soup. It was not uncommon to invite a friend to eat.
Otto Klemperer’s #Mahler thread.
Recently I received a Mahler Second Symphony program, from 1935 (video clip from it and one from 1967, here as well). So I decided to make a list of his Mahler recordings (and a few from other composers) Hope you enjoy it.
Recently I received a Mahler Second Symphony program, from 1935 (video clip from it and one from 1967, here as well). So I decided to make a list of his Mahler recordings (and a few from other composers) Hope you enjoy it.
In 1933 he fled Nazi Germany and started a six-year tenure with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, until 1939 (year of his brain surgery). Sadly he suffered paralysis because of it.He also struggled with his mood disorder the same year.
Here’s Mozart 35 (1938)
Here’s Mozart 35 (1938)
Klemperer has some rare recordings, from 1924 (Staatkapelle Berlin) a Beethoven 1st symphony and a Bruckner 8th (both acoustic recordings). A Wagner Siegfried Idyll, and Tristan Prelude from 1927. Also a Strauss’ Salome (same year with the same orchestra).
Specially interested in the 4th and the Reri Grist performance.
Gustav #Mahler born on this day in 1860. Brief introductory thread.
The difficulty with starting a voyage into Mahler’s work, is that Gustav the man, is rarely separated from Mahler the Composer (or Conductor). And this, in the beginning makes it difficult to explore his oeuvre.
The difficulty with starting a voyage into Mahler’s work, is that Gustav the man, is rarely separated from Mahler the Composer (or Conductor). And this, in the beginning makes it difficult to explore his oeuvre.
When you listen to his Kindertotenlieder or his Adagietto, his crazy Seventh or emotionally draining Ninth, context is important. Although this is fundamental in a historical sense, in many if not all composers, in Mahler it takes a life of its own.
Alma, his wife, Bruno Walter his student and friend, Justine his sister, Austria in the 1900’s; all have a complex and interesting story that contribute to Mahler and his work. Granted you don’t need to read about this, but like an opera, reading the libretto helps the enjoyment.
