Playing with Numbers

In his late works, Mahler tries to play with numbers and outwit God or Fate. Donald Macleod concludes his account of the marriage between Gustav and Alma, and its effect on the composer's output.

Their relationship wasn't always the happiest, the terms he laid down for their marriage were far from fair, and she wasn't always faithful to her husband. But Alma Mahler exerted a powerful fascination on Gustav Mahler, and proved not only an inspiration but a also a very practical support for his working and creative life.

In this final episode,Gustav finds musical inspiration in Chinese poetry, and the Mahlers pursue their interest in Chinese culture by visiting a New York opium den. Wracked by guilt over the deep unhappiness that had driven Alma into the arms of the young architect Walter Gropius, Mahler pours out some of his turbulent feelings into the score of his unfinished 10th Symphony - a work over which Alma would maintain a controlling interest after Mahler's death in 1911.

Der Einsame (from Das Lied von der Erde)
Kathleen Ferrier, contralto
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Bruno Walter, conductor

Symphony No 9 (1st movement: Andante comodo)
Berlin Philharmonic
Claudio Abbado, conductor

Mahler, completed by Deryck Cooke: Symphony 10 (4th movement: Scherzo)
BBC Philharmonic
Gianandrea Noseda, conductor.