From Bohemia to Vienna
Donald Macleod explores Mahler's childhood in Bohemia, where he was inspired by the sounds and songs of the countryside, and his studies in Vienna.
Donald Macleod explores Mahler's childhood in Bohemia and his studies in Vienna.
Gustav Mahler rose from humble beginnings on the fringes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to become one of the most powerful figures in the musical establishment. Nowadays his symphonies are almost guaranteed to fill concert halls, but during his lifetime Mahler made his name as a conductor.
Mahler's early years were spent in rural Bohemia, and the sounds and songs of the countryside were to have a lasting influence on his music. His early songs are inspired by teenage sweethearts, while a prizewinning piece of chamber music composed at the Vienna Conservatoire shows the influence of Brahms, Schubert and Wagner. Mahler's passionate affair with a married woman brought on a creative torrent that led to the completion of his first symphony.
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Gustav Mahler
Das Klagende Lied - cantata for soloists, chorus and orchestra
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Singer: Dorothea Röschmann. Singer: Johan Botha. Conductor: Pierre Boulez.- Deutsche Grammophon: 4779891.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 4.
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Gustav Mahler
Quartet movement in A minor for piano and strings
Performer: Nicola Benedetti. Performer: Tom Dunn. Performer: Leonard Elschenbroich. Performer: Alexei Grynyuk.- Decca: CD 0289 478 3529 5.
- Decca.
- 13.
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Gustav Mahler
3 Lieder for voice and piano - Im Lenz and Winterlied
Singer: Janet Baker. Performer: Geoffrey Parsons.- Hyperion: CDA66100.
- Hyperion.
- 3.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Die Drei Pintos - opera in 3 acts J.Anh.5, compl. Mahler - Intermezzo
Orchestra: Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gary Bertini.- RCA: 74321322462.
- RCA.
- 1.
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Gustav Mahler
Symphony no. 1 in D major vers. original, in 5 mvts.
Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Zubin Mehta.- Decca: 028944303025.
- Decca.
- 6.
Broadcasts
- Mon 10 Feb 201412:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 10 Feb 201418:00BBC Radio 3
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