Gahh. I just love this piece of music. Went to see it with my friend Louis back in May, and it was the greatest concert that I went to. He was in tears by the end, and I'll admit, I was almost crying as well. It was just something so amazing with all the singers singing about resurrection and the greatness of the music that made this piece of music click. And that was the first time that I heard the music. Listening back, I now see/hear a lot of the intricate details within it. I could go on and on about it, but that'd just be boring. Anyways, take a listen if you like, maybe put it in the background while you do other stuff. Its definitely worth a listen.
I've been meaning to get into Mahler symphs for a long time but it is bit intimidating. I already heard a bit of the 8 and is familiar with the "10" (song of the earth). Which ones do you recommened particularly?
I would say that the second one is definitely the most audience-friendly one. It has a bit of everything in it. 5th is great if you love trumpets, and of course the 8th is just amazing. First is pretty good too if you want to check it out.
2 is a good one for sure, but i don't like it quite as much as the others... i find it a bit long-winded. then again, i don't think i've ever sat down and focused completely on it, so my opinion could change in the future. mahler writes some fantastic melodies. so much energy and power in his orchestrations...
On December 30 2010 11:00 vectorix108 wrote: I would say that the second one is definitely the most audience-friendly one. It has a bit of everything in it. 5th is great if you love trumpets, and of course the 8th is just amazing. First is pretty good too if you want to check it out.
i would disagree, i don't think 2 is audience-friendly at all, especially if you're not already into this kind of stuff. it is a LONG symphony, and it doesn't hit as hard as his other symphonies do (whereas say, the 5th slams you right away with the trumpet solo and the huge brass chords). there's an immense amount of depth to the 2nd, but as far as being attractive and easy on the listener, the 2nd is far from it.
Mahler 2 is far and away my favorite, but that performance is pretty lacking. I'm glad there's a full version of it on YouTube but you can really tell they're students---it just doesn't stand up to the Vienna Philharmonic or that one really good Chicago Philharmonic recording in terms of depth and sensitivity to Mahler's indications.
Oh yea I am already slightly familiar with the first, I forgot to mention. I like bunch of Bruckner symphonies so "long-winded" is not really gonna deter me. I will try out 2, 5 soon.
On December 30 2010 11:00 vectorix108 wrote: I would say that the second one is definitely the most audience-friendly one. It has a bit of everything in it. 5th is great if you love trumpets, and of course the 8th is just amazing. First is pretty good too if you want to check it out.
i would disagree, i don't think 2 is audience-friendly at all, especially if you're not already into this kind of stuff. it is a LONG symphony, and it doesn't hit as hard as his other symphonies do (whereas say, the 5th slams you right away with the trumpet solo and the huge brass chords). there's an immense amount of depth to the 2nd, but as far as being attractive and easy on the listener, the 2nd is far from it.
Hm i guess I can see it from your perspective. But I actually enjoy long symphonies that take a long time to build up to. Plus the movements change styles a lot so I like the variety.
On December 30 2010 11:40 quandle wrote: Mahler 2 is far and away my favorite, but that performance is pretty lacking. I'm glad there's a full version of it on YouTube but you can really tell they're students---it just doesn't stand up to the Vienna Philharmonic or that one really good Chicago Philharmonic recording in terms of depth and sensitivity to Mahler's indications.
Yeah the only reason that I chose that recording was because it is a full-length one. I have the Chicago Philharmonic recording and it is really really good.
Mahler's symphony #2 is my favorite symphony ever, though unfortunately I've never had a chance to listen to it in concert.
As far as audience friendliness, sure it's long but so are all of his symphonies. All of the movements are either pretty varied or fairly "intense" (except maybe the second, but whatever).
Your post reminded me of my first-term-times at college when I listened to all Mahlers symphonies but his tenth. I was deeply touched by that music - I got to know a new composer (for me) and thus a new world. There are strange parts in his symphonies when all of a sudden something breaks and a very fragile and "far-away" music starts playing like from heaven. They usually occur in first movements if I remember well. Do you know what I mean?
On December 30 2010 12:44 triangle wrote: Mahler's symphony #2 is my favorite symphony ever, though unfortunately I've never had a chance to listen to it in concert.
As far as audience friendliness, sure it's long but so are all of his symphonies. All of the movements are either pretty varied or fairly "intense" (except maybe the second, but whatever).
I have a bunch of recordings from the Chicago Philiharmonic and some from CD's that I borrowed from the library. Its good to hear different interpretations of his music
On December 30 2010 15:05 Amanebak wrote: Your post reminded me of my first-term-times at college when I listened to all Mahlers symphonies but his tenth. I was deeply touched by that music - I got to know a new composer (for me) and thus a new world. There are strange parts in his symphonies when all of a sudden something breaks and a very fragile and "far-away" music starts playing like from heaven. They usually occur in first movements if I remember well. Do you know what I mean?
Yeah I definitely get what you're saying. His music is just really fun to listen to.
Hmm...out of Mahler's symphonies I must say I like the no.6 'Tragic' the best. No.2 definitely has its moments though, but Mahler wouldn't be one of the greats if it didn't.
On December 30 2010 12:44 triangle wrote: Mahler's symphony #2 is my favorite symphony ever, though unfortunately I've never had a chance to listen to it in concert.
As far as audience friendliness, sure it's long but so are all of his symphonies. All of the movements are either pretty varied or fairly "intense" (except maybe the second, but whatever).
I have a bunch of recordings from the Chicago Philiharmonic and some from CD's that I borrowed from the library. Its good to hear different interpretations of his music
On December 30 2010 10:50 phosphorylation wrote: I've been meaning to get into Mahler symphs for a long time but it is bit intimidating. I already heard a bit of the 8 and is familiar with the "10" (song of the earth). Which ones do you recommened particularly?
Okay, but don't forget that in addition to Das Lied von der Erde, there was an actual tenth symphony (though unfinished).
Hearing a bit of a Mahler symphony doesn't really approach familiarity with it at all. Each of his works is a universe unto itself. The only difference between them is that as time went by, he became more and more skilled. Although the 8th symphony is long, it's very detailed and coherent despite an apparent classical structure. This makes it both available to any audience and easily replayed. I suggest setting aside a block of time to listen to it straight through. Here's a good recording:
Movement 1 (youtube part 1/3)
Movement 2 (youtube part 1/8)
You may also want to familiarize yourself with the text of the first movement and the basic story of Faust according to Goethe.
EPT
