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Classically Speaking

Classical music in West Virginia and Beyond

Mahler & his World

(Commentary) Permanent link All Posts

By Mona Seghatoleslami

· July 8, 2011

Mahler - playing it cool, but secretly happy that we're all making such a big deal out of his birthday

One more belated bit of Mahler birthday celebrations, with a discovery from the very cluttered shelves of the West Virginia Public Radio library.

In 2008, musicologist Timothy Freeze gave a talk on the subject of "Mahler and his World" with West Virginia Symphony Orchestra artistic director Grant Cooper at the Clay Center in Charleston. I wasn't able to make the talk, so the symphony kindly shared a recording with me. Now that I've recently rediscovered the CD, the WVSO said that I can also share it with you! You can stream or download the discussion below:

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Mahler & His World (Grant Cooper and Timothy Freeze, Clay Center Art Gallery, November 2008)

All the other Mahler fun is collected in yesterday's post Mahler at 151.

p.s. belated 100th birthday wishes also go out to Bernard Hermann and Gian Carlo Menotti!

Last Edited by editor at 7/8/2011 12:19 PM

Those getting started in understanding Mahler's profound influence and growing popularity can do worse than begin with some of Leonard Bernstein's recordings with the NY Philharmonic -- Lenny truly could be said to have started the Mahler revival here in the U.S. For my money -- to my ear -- the great newer recordings of the symphonies 1,2 and 4 are by George Solti and the Chicago or B. Haitink with the Concertqubeau. LP
Posted by: luke at 7/11/2011 3:08 PM

Luke,

Thanks for the recommendations:) I need to check out the Solti and Haitink; right now I'm listening to our latest Mahler arrivals with Manfred Honeck conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

It reminds me - did you see last year's project from DG celebrating Mahler's 150th birthday? It's still available here: http://www.mahler150.com/en_GB/home

You can put together your dream Mahler symphony cycle, and see the collection put together a CD collection based on listener votes.
Posted by: Mona Seghatoleslami( Visit ) at 7/13/2011 8:54 AM

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