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In Richard Matheson's novel Bid Time Return, which was filmed as Somewhere in Time, it was Mahler's ninth that the Christopher Reeve character loved and listened to rather than the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody.
Just fyi.
Neil
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Posted: |
Jan 8, 2006 - 11:55 PM
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By: |
clipton
(Member)
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Hi Moontrekker,
Mahler's 9th is my favorite of his symphonies. And, as far as I'm concerned, during the 25 years that I was paying attention to the various renderings of this work, no conductor could hold a candle to Otto Klemperer with The New Philharmonia Orchestra (an Angel recording?) - when it came to this symphony. Klemperer's sense of subtlety, nuance as well his fully realized dynamic renderings bring out so much more from the music than say Leonard Bernstein's interpretations. My favorite movement from Mahler's 9th is the 3rd: the Rondo Burleske -- it's one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. I must note, however, that I have not purchased any new recordings of this symphony for quite a few years, so I don't know if there has been a new shining star re the conducting of this great work of late. But for the 25 years that I was paying attention to other recordings of the 9th, Klemperer and The New Philharmonia ruled.
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Posted: |
Jan 9, 2006 - 1:44 AM
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By: |
stan2
(Member)
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Shortly after the highly successful premier of his 8th Symphony ("Symphony of a Thousand" - the number of people involved in the performance), Mahler's life really began to unravel. His relationship with his wife, the beautiful, and younger, Alma Mahler had been getting worse. Mahler, in fact, had a marathon session with Sigmund Freud to sort out his difficulties.
He was also a perfectionist and while he brought the Vienna Opera to a legendary state, he made lots of enemies. These enemies started bring up anti-Semitic rants (Mahler had earlier converted to Catholicism) and much back-stabbing.
If all this wasn't enough, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and told that he didn't slow down he would be dead in a few years.
Mahler's last trilogy of works, Das Lied von der Erde, the Ninth Symphony, and the unfinished tenth, are considered his farewell works. That is, his farewell to life. Haunted by death throughout his life (he saw many of his siblings die and a daughter as well), he incorporated much of this in his music.
Das Lied von der Erde, "The Songs of the Earth", were from German translations of Chinese songs. Scored for large orchestra, tenor, and alto, it bespeaks of a weariness with life. The last song, "Der Abschied", actually means "The Farewell" and it is evident that it is a farewell to life.
"Where am I going? I shall wander in the mountains."/I am seeking rest for my lonely heart./I shall wander to my native land, to my home./I shall never roam abroad./Still is my heart, it is awaiting its hour."
The legendary recording of this was made (I believe) in 1947 with Kathleen Ferrier and Julius Patzak. Bruno Walter conducted the Vienna Philharmonic. It is available as part of the Decca Legends CD series. I understand that not long before the recording Ms. Ferrier had been told that she was dying of cancer. Incurable cancer. It is evident that her feelings are in this recording as she sings that last song.
Mahler was superstitious and believed that he would die after writing a ninth symphony as Beethoven had. Thus he did not call Das Lied von der Erde his nith symphony. After writing the cycle, and still living, he started on his last symphony. In a long letter to his wife after hearing the first performance of this symphony, composer Alban Berg felt that teh first movement of the symphony started out happily, life going along. And then comes a change, the notice of death coming. The rest of the movement is a reaction to that news. Leonard Bernstein felt that some irregular beats that occur in this movement were Mahler trying to put to music the irregular beating of his own heart. Bernstein likens the 2nd movement to a distorted view of being at a sidewalk cafe in Vienna. A rememberance of good times with the knowledge of the doom writ. The third movement, is likened to a remberance of battles fought with good friends for the cause of art, and the cost of those battles. The last movement is the coming of death. The wretching knowledge that it is unstoppable. Should he fight or give in? The music weeps, screams, fights back, looks into the abyss of eternity. In the end, seems to come acceptance.
A legendary recording here is from Austrian Radio recorded in the 1930s again with Bruno Walter and the Vienna Philharmonic. I believe that this is the recording on the EMI Great Artists of the Century series. Bruno Walter, who was an assistant to Mahler, was Jewish. It was well known that the Anshluss, the German occupation of Austria, was imminent. Walter was extremely popular in Vienna, but he knew he had to leave before the Nazis came. This was what he chose to be his farewell performance.
There are no less than 3 recordings by Leonard Bernstein. One from the 1960s with the New York Philharmonic. Two later recordings, on DG, one with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and a live recording with the Berlin Philharmonic. None of these recordings really does the trick for me, although the Berlin is probably the best. Bernstein recorded a video with him conducting (I believe) the Vienna Philharmonic in Berlin. This has been shown on PBS' Great Performances series several times. This is the outstanding performance of work, for me.
Other recordings are Carlo Maria Giulini's on DG with the Chicago Symphony, Karajan's recording with the BPO on DG, and Sir John Barbarolli's recording with the BPO on EMI which is very well liked. I believe that was either Barbarolli's or Bernstein's performances that Herbert von Karajan, the legendary music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, heard of the Ninth Symphony, which led him to investigate Mahler's music, which he had ignored until then. Walter's re-recording of the Ninth with the Columbia Symphony toward the end of his life tends, for me, to have lost the urgency of his earlier recordings. Nonetheless, a good recording.
As an aside, I read that Barbarolli wanted to record a lot of Mahler but both he and Otto Klemperer recorded for EMI and Klemperer got first pick. When Klemeperer passed up a work, Barbarolli could possibly record it. I personally find Klemperer's ninth to be too slow and drawn out. Klemperer's recording of the 2nd symphony, "The Resurrection", is terrific.
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These enemies started bring up anti-Semitic rants (Mahler had earlier converted to Catholicism)
And let's not forget that being Catholic automatically means you hate Jews. 
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Mahler's 5th is pretty much the only one I listen to on any repeated basis. His works are just so long and meandering, I find it hard to keep interest.
People were not afraid to edit Wagner down (e.g. "The Ring without Words"). I'd like to see somebody try the same thing with some of Mahler's symphonies. There are some good ideas in there, but I can barely sit through these in a recliner in the comfort of my own living room... I couldn't imagine taking it in at a cramped concert hall. Good luck! 
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Posted: |
Aug 2, 2015 - 1:51 PM
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By: |
MusicMad
(Member)
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Mahler's 5th is pretty much the only one I listen to on any repeated basis. His works are just so long and meandering, I find it hard to keep interest.
People were not afraid to edit Wagner down (e.g. "The Ring without Words"). I'd like to see somebody try the same thing with some of Mahler's symphonies. There are some good ideas in there, but I can barely sit through these in a recliner in the comfort of my own living room... I couldn't imagine taking it in at a cramped concert hall. Good luck!
You're not alone ... apparently Joseph Deems Taylor (who?) suggested this symphony should be pruned to about 20 mins ... my recordings last 79 - 88 mins! See: Wiki ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Mahler)
In my conversion to classical music these last two - three years, Mahler has been one of those composers who has had a major influence on me. I've enjoyed works by many others (e.g. Rachmaninov, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi ...) for a long time but my early exposure to Mahler was less than satisfactory. And yet, now, I find I enjoy his music ... even if I don't know it or struggle to recall it. Okay, I can usually name the 4th and 5th (my favourites) but the others are still new to me.
This forthcoming concert was pure luck ... my wife is encouraging me (us) to attend live music and we've booked to see/hear Ms. Benedetti in Sep (an evening of Italian music incl. Le Quattro Stagioni) and looking through the list of concerts I noticed this one. So, why not?
Thank you for your good wishes ... happily Birmingham Symphony Hall is not cramped!
Mitch
NP: How To Marry a Millionaire - Alfred Newman
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Posted: |
Aug 2, 2015 - 3:43 PM
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By: |
panphoto
(Member)
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I believe that was either Barbarolli's or Bernstein's performances that Herbert von Karajan, the legendary music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, heard of the Ninth Symphony, which led him to investigate Mahler's music
It was Barbirolli who introduced Mahler to the Berlin Phil, AFAIK
I think that is correct. Karajan, as has been said, came late to Mahler but he certainly identified strongly with this work, and his intense recording of it went on to win a Gramophone award. I greatly regret that he didn't record all the Mahler symphonies (especially 3 and 7) as those he did record were outstanding - especially, for me, the 6th. The beauty of Mahler's soundworld was always foremost in Karajan's interpretations of Mahler. His approach was restrained and subtle, unlike in my view, Bernstein's later overblown performances.
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Mahler is among my favorite composers. Currently, I do not listen to his music all that often often; it is intensely personal music, emotionally and spiritually provoking... you have to be willing (and have the time to spare) to attentively listen to a single piece of music for an hour or more; you can't really enjoy Mahler "on the side".
Yet it is a fascinating musical universe to explore. In fact, if you like any single Mahler symphony, chances are you will like the others as well. Conversely, if you do not like your first Mahler symphony, you're unlikely to enjoy anything else he composed. Basically, Mahler composed not so much different symphonies and song cycles, but one continuous work. It is highly interconnected.
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