Mahler: Symphony No 8, "The Symphony of a Thousand"

It IS Mahler’s Symphony Number 8!

That final run-up to the end of Part I is one of my favorite things ever.

The Bernstein recording of Part I (only) that he did for the opening of Lincoln Center is very fast and thrilling. The Solti / CSO remains the standard -- just incredible -- but I recall the Klaus Tennstedt being fantastic, too.

R2 Yes, I love that part too.

I agree the Solti/CSI is the gold standard, but I think Antoni Wit conducting The Warsaw Philharmonic might be a extraordinary close second.

I love it

I’m curious about the CSI investigation of the Solti recording (see R3). Was the team investigating dropped notes by the horn players? Were they dusting the oboe keys for fingerprints? Perhaps instead of gun shot residue, the violinists used resin-due to slippery bows??

R5 of course, and Ted Danson came in to save the sinking ship

This is my least favorite of the Mahler symphonies.

It's big. It's really big.

I'll drink to that. And one for Mahler!

R7 why is that?

I love the beginning

Mahler is my least favorite composer. I've never understood why people like his whiny, over-dramatic, poor orchestration. If it weren't for Bernstein, we could have let this guy settle in the dustbin of forgotten composers.

R10, I just think there's nothing new in it. He did this all (and better) already with No. 2. The Chorus Mysticus is really something, I guess.

I adore it.

R13 What do you think of Mahler's 3rd?

I enjoy listening to it just to have that wall of sound wash over me. But I do prefer the Tennstedt live recording with the LPO over the Bernstein or Solti recordings (in the latter case, just barely).

There's also a nice recording by Riccardo Chailly.

Even before Bernstein Walter and Klemperer were great champions of Mahler. Bernstein was not the first. I guess it can be argued Lenny brought him to a wider audience. I was constitutionally incapable of listening to Mahler initially but now I enjoy his works. It took me years. And the Wit is a wonderful for those who want an 8th recording other than the Solti. I do enjoy the symphony's glorious Technicolor and breathtaking Cinemascope grandeur.

A great 1st though it is in mono is the Mitropoulos on Columbia. Very much worth having.

I, too, do not like the Eighth. It’s so damn loud and the texts are uninteresting.

Poor orchestration? Mahler? What is that based on? He knew the orchestra intimately, and was able to create whatever sounds he wanted. Not liking the final result does not mean a lack of craft on Mahler's part.

For me, I love Mahler's work. Favorites are 9, 5, 2, 1, and 10. Also love all the lieder. He "speaks" to me, and has from the first listen. His music is extremely personal. After listening to a Mahler symphony you feel like you know Mahler the man, in ways that you never know Mozart, Brahms, or even Beethoven. That is not a negative for those composers -just part of what makes Mahler's music different. In his music, Bach bares his brilliant intellect. Mahler bares his soul.

"poor orchestration"

I love the 3rd, R15.

In order my preferences are probably: 2, Das Lied (if it counts), 7, 3, 5, 9, 1, 6, 4, 8.

I sang, back when I was a soprano in the boys choir, Mahler's 8th in 1997. It was to commemorate the 1000-year anniversary of Gdansk.

A spectacle I'll never forget

R21 Interesting. My Mahler ranking is:

7, 6, 9, 2, 8, Das Lied, 1, 5, 4, 3, and 10

I love 6. So tragic

I performed in this in 1999, easily one of the highlights of my life. Was on a study abroad term in England and joined the university choir for the fun of it. Our sole focus that semester was learning this. It was challenging, then two weeks before the performance, we joined with the other choirs in the city for rehearsals at some local school in a huge space. Then we had final rehearsals at city hall. Then the performances. An incredible experience for a small town Midwestern kid.

[quote] Also love all the lieder. He "speaks" to me

R19 = Mrs. Patsy Ramsey formerly of Boulder, Colorado

I was totally perplexed -and then I got it. ROTFLMAO!! Thanks, R26!

R25 I think that would be an experience for anyone! That is so cool.

R26 I didn't even bother to open the link. You are sick. Funny, but sick.

Excellence