Mahler Symphony #5

[haydnguy]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I've been a slacker lately in the Mahler group. I'll try to get my act together!!!

Why don't we go ahead and move ahead to the 5th Symphony. It's one that Flo and Philidor recently saw at the Proms I believe. It's also a favorite among many people. (Not the least of whom, my wife!)

[Philidor]

Seconded.

[Florestan]

Here is Marin Alsop talking through her interpretation of the symphony. This is great:-

Tackling Mahler's Fifth Symphony

I've never aspired to climb Mount Everest, but I can imagine the nervous anticipation of the climber who stands looking upward at the task ahead. Regardless of preparation, training, desire or zeal, it's impossible to know exactly how the climb will go.

That's exactly the sensation I have when I walk onto the stage to conduct Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony. It's a large-scale journey, guaranteed to provide surprises and new discoveries along the way. [MORE].

[haydnguy]

Thanks for that link Flo. I'm really looking forward to hearing her Mahler cycle.

[Chi_town/Philly]

I've said it before... this is my favorite symphony not written by someone named Beethoven. If I can address Florestan for a moment, I think this may become your favorite Mahler piece, too, if you find passages like the 3rd movement of 1 a little too banal-sounding for your taste.

This is the first Mahler symphony that belongs entirely to the 20th C.- and I imagine this work as the "sound-track" introduction to the whole century.

One thing that distinguishes this piece, in my mind, is the amazing qualitative consistency of all of the movements. I don't believe I can think of any post-Wagner work that I enjoy so much!

I really should have more versions of this piece. It is, however, the one Mahler work that I've embraced to the point of acquiring a study-score. Now, my listening schedule between now and the end of the week will include versions by: Scherchen/Philadelphia (although there are heavy cuts, especially in the central movement), Tennstedt/New York Philharmonic, Solti/Chicago and Tennstedt/London Philharmonic. Sounds like a good week.

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by Chi_town/Philly

I've said it before... this is my favorite symphony not written by someone named Beethoven. If I can address Florestan for a moment, I think this may become your favorite Mahler piece, too, if you find passages like the 3rd movement of 1 a little too banal-sounding for your taste.

My favourite so far is Das Lied von der Erde, which I think is also of a consistently magnificent quality, though the last movement is utterly sublime*.

It would/should, of course, have been his 9th Symphony, if he had not held the superstition that this would bring about his death (as it had, he believed, with Beethoven and Bruckner). But then he *did* write a 9th and it did see him off!

*As is the Adagietto in the 5th, of course.

[Herzeleide]

Originally Posted by Florestan

As is the Adagietto in the 5th, of course.

Which is then belittled by its parody in the last movement. Many commentators have argued that Mahler was a modern composer (if the commentator is feeling particularly extravagant that day, then Mahler is 'the first' modern composer) because of his ironic and parodic elements. You also see that in the fourth symphony, though maybe that's more of a homage to Haydn.

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by Herzeleide

Which is then belittled by its parody in the last movement. Many commentators have argued that Mahler was a modern composer (if the commentator is feeling particularly extravagant that day, then Mahler is 'the first' modern composer) because of his ironic and parodic elements.

That might arguably make him the first postmodern composer.

[micrologus]

I'm looking for the best versions of Mahler's 5th symphony.
Can anyone in this group advise me?
Thanks

[haydnguy]

micrologus, I'm glad you asked that because in looking at my collection I see that I only have the Walter version of this. I'm going to take a look at what other version I might get to supplant that one. I need to get a more modern version of it, to be sure.

I always take a look at Tony Duggan's column on Mahler CD's. http://www.musicweb-international.co...er/Mahler5.htm

He's certainly not the last word and there is some very good CD's that are not on that list. It's a place to start though in looking. I'll look back at all the place I look and maybe give you 3 or 4 to choose from.

Stay tuned.