Gustav Mahler (July 7, 1860 – May 18, 1911) is one of the most important composers and conductors of post-romanticism. His symphonies crown the tradition of great composers who dedicated themselves to the genre, while also bridging the gap with 20th-century music. He was admired by the leading figures of the Second Viennese School: Schoenberg arranged works by Mahler, and Mahler in turn supported the early works of the father of dodecaphony.
We offer you 5 essential works by the great composer Gustav Mahler. Besides being technical and aesthetic marvels, his works contain profound concerns of the composer in human, spiritual, and vital terms.
There are many more fantastic works by this composer, but we believe these are vital for those who want to delve into Mahler’s world or remember his music.
1 - Symphony No. 2 in C minor, "Resurrection"
It was composed between 1888 and 1894, and takes its name from Klopstock’s ode. The world premiere of the first three movements was on March 4, 1895, in Berlin, with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer. The complete world premiere was on December 13, 1895, in Berlin, also conducted by the composer.
Here we share the 5th movement of the work.
2 - Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major is one of the largest-scale choral works in the symphonic repertoire. Because it requires a huge number of performers, it is called the “Symphony of a Thousand.”
It was the last work that Mahler premiered in his lifetime; he conducted it at the premiere in Munich on September 12, 1910. It consists of two parts: Part I: Veni Creator Spiritus; Part II: Final Scene from Goethe’s Faust.
Here we share the 5th movement of the work.
3 - Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
It is a large-scale work for two vocal soloists and orchestra. Mahler titled it ‘A Symphony for Tenor and Alto (or Baritone) Voice and Orchestra (based on ‘The Chinese Flute’ by Hans Bethge’. Bethge’s work was inspired by oriental texts with a strong spiritual content.
This symphony should have been the ninth since it was composed after the eighth. At that time (between 1907 and 1909), Mahler was going through a tough time in his life with the death of one of his daughters, news of a heart condition, and personal and professional problems. In this context of pain, and knowing what the ninth symphonies brought to composers like Beethoven and Bruckner, Mahler decided not to give it a number, just a name.
4 - Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children)
It is a cycle of songs for soloist and orchestra based on poems by Friedrich Rückert.
The songs are:
- Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgeh’n,… (Now the sun wants to rise as brightly…)
- Nun seh’ ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen… (Now I well see, why such dark flames…)
- Wenn dein Mütterlein.. (When your dear Mother..)
- Oft denk’ ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen… (Often I think they have only gone out)
- In diesem Wetter! (In this weather!)
We leave you with an exquisite version featuring the voice of Bryn Terfel.
5 - Piano Quartet in A minor
This work can be considered a forgotten gem: it is the only surviving chamber work without voice by Mahler. It was written in Vienna when the composer was around 15 years old. Its premiere was on July 10, 1876, at the Vienna Conservatory with Mahler on the piano.
