Mahler Month Begins

[AZContrabassoon]

Every July in my house is Mahler Month - I start today listening to everything, beginning with Das Klagende Lied and ending with the 10th symphony. Each year I choose two different sets and supplement and needed, trying to get in some historical recordings along the way. Of course July 7th is a party day! I used to spend the 7th listening to everything straight through, but I'm too old to do that.

So this years selections:

set 1: New York Philharmonic Broadcasts
set 2: Bertini on EMI
set 3: Abbado Lucerne video set, incomplete as it is

and I'm also going to go back and listen to the piano versions of what symphonies I have: 1, 2, 6, 7 as well as the chamber versions of 4, 9 and DLVDE.

Makes for a very rewarding month and is my own little way of honoring this great composer.

[ChrisH]

I really enjoy the Mahler Broadcast box set. That Kubelik 7th is excellent!

[barry guerrero]

I like the Bertini cycle quite a bit. The Bertini and Inbal cycles might be the most consistent of any.

[James Meckley]

I really enjoy the Mahler Broadcast box set. That Kubelik 7th is excellent!

Yes it is, and so very different from the DG/Audite versions he recorded with the BRSO about ten years earlier.

James

[barry guerrero]

While the Kubelik M7 is very good in its own way, I think it's an example of an M7 - and there are a couple of them around - where the tambourine part gets played on a military side drum (tom-tom). It sounds kind of weird - to me.

[techniquest]

Every July in my house is Mahler Month

AZContrabassoon; next year can I come and spend July with you at your house?   

[AZContrabassoon]

You bet. Tonight I'm finishing up some bits and pieces. Just today I gave a listen to the first M2 I ever bought - the old Scherchen. To bad there aren't conductors like that today. Scrappy playing and all, it's a terrific performance. Tonight I've put on the 10th as done by Barshai.

Now understand that where I live it was 106 degrees today.  Probably higher tomorrow. When I listen to Mahler and it's so hot out, I like to think about the beautiful mountains of Austria where Mahler spent his summers. I roamed those places twice in my life, and want to go again!

Best...

[techniquest]

Now understand that where I live it was 106 degrees today.  Probably higher tomorrow. When I listen to Mahler and it's so hot out, I like to think about the beautiful mountains of Austria where Mahler spent his summers. I roamed those places twice in my life, and want to go again!

I plan to visit Austria later this year and visit Mahler's first composing hut where he composed the 2nd symphony

[AZContrabassoon]

Have a great time! It's beautiful country. Visiting his summer areas, and it's easy to see how nature so influenced his work.