Today is Mahler’s 143rd birthday. I figured I should do something to acknowledge a composer whose music has, since I first heard it in 1996, totally changed the way I listen to everything. Rarely do I hear music that moves and inspires me so much, and Mahler helped open the door for this then-18-year-old college student - a door that led me to all of the OTHER great music out there that moves and inspires me.
This thread may go absolutely nowhere, but that’s OK - just wanted to get this out there.
Tonight I will listen to my favorite recording of the 7th, which, along with the 5th and 9th, is one of my favorite Mahler symphonies.
Yes, I love the 2nd. It’s just titanic. The reason I don’t list it among my favorites is because it’s so emotional to listen to, and I can’t handle that kind of heart-through-the-meatgrinder stuff on a regular basis. Symphonies like 1, 5, and 7 are easier for me, because while they’re technically brilliant and exciting as hell, they don’t seem to demand that the listener journey to the depths of despair.
The 9th does require this, but I still list it among my faves because none of the other symphonies manages to shake me to the core as much as that one.
Hopefully that makes sense, though I bet it doesn’t. Speaking of the 2nd, though, I got a nice surprise while on a trip to New York last month - the Philharmonic was playing it for their season finale concerts and I got in with a ticket for $25! Worth every penny.
Big Mahler fan here…I did remember this morning that it was his birthday. My own favorite is Das Lied von der Erde. Never heard it performed live, though. But then I never thought I’d get to hear the 8th symphony played live, and five years ago I managed to catch performances by two different orchestras in the space of a year.
Please listen to his Lieder, especially Kindertotentlieder (try to get a Fischer-Dieskau version). And I fully support the previous mention of Das Lied von der Erde.
It surprises me that no-one has mentioned his beautiful fourth symphony yet.
I should also pop back in to suggest to any Mahler fan that they watch the Ken Russell “bio” film (aptly called Mahler), which I believe was made in the early or mid 70s.
It is unbelievably over-the-top and at times grossly inaccurate, but merits watching even so. My reaction usually varies between being totally appalled and being doubled over with hysterical laughter. Also, the actress who plays Alma in the film looks much more like the blonde singer from ABBA than any semblance to the real Alma.
Plus, all of Mahler’s music in the movie is played by the Concertgebouw, under Bernard Haitink. Definitely a point in the movie’s favor.