Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 1
//Summary - Level-B2//
Gustav Mahler was born in 1860 in Bohemia and showed musical talent from an early age. His First Symphony, completed in 1888, reflects his love for folk music. The symphony is youthful yet innovative, though not often performed. Mahler later converted to Catholicism, married Alma, and left behind influential symphonies before dying in 1911. His symphonies follow a pattern of alternating instrumental and vocal works. The First Symphony was initially called Giants, inspired by a novel, but Mahler removed the title.
A)
1)
Mahler:
Gustav Mahler was born on 7 July 1860 in the small Bohemian village of Kaliszt (halfway between Prague and Vienna, closer to Prague.
He was born into a Jewish merchant's family in Kaliszce (now in the Czech Republic), the second of 12 siblings (there were 14-15, but they died at an early age).
He showed extraordinary musical talent, having already learned several hundred folk songs by age two and receiving musical education from a very young age.
His exposure to folk songs had a profound influence not only on today's First Symphony but also on all of Mahler's compositions.
2)
The year after he became conductor of the Royal Opera House Kassel in Germany in 1883 and began to make his reputation, he began composing his First Symphony, which he completed in 1888.
Shortly afterwards, at the age of 28, he directed the Royal Opera House Budapest, giving its premiere the following year under his direction.
During this year, he also suffered misfortunes, including the deaths of his parents. He also fell in love with Weber's grandson, Mrs Marion Weber. He subsequently had problems with his human relationship and Mahler's health.
This is just a hint of the brilliant light and shadow of Mahler's life that he is about to embark on.
The passion of youth, love, and melancholy—Bruno Walter likened No. 1 to Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther and said it was Mahler's Werther.
Today's audience may feel the music in the context of their present or past youth.
3)
At 36, he converted to Catholicism, perhaps to enter Vienna; at 41, he married Alma, whose beauty won over many male artists ('19 age-difference marriages).
He foresaw his future, 'My time will come', leaving behind a series of outstanding symphonies, which will be discussed below, but after being psychoanalysed by Freud, he died in 1911 at the age of 50.
B)
4)
Mahler's symphonies and the position of No. 1:
The First Symphony is clear and singular in its unconventionality compared to the rest. Perhaps that is why several maestros consider Mahler conductors do not play the First very often.
However, despite being a 'symphony of the youth,' it was highly accomplished (in fact, it was not his first Symphony; he had written about four symphonies before the first) and incorporated many radical and individualistic elements while trying to preserve the classical tradition.
5)
Let's divide Mahler's symphonies into five groups:
a.
No. 1: closely related to the Song of the Wandering Young Man from the same period
b.
No. 2, 3 and 4: trilogy related to 'The Boy's Magic Horn', with vocal music
c.
Nos. 5, 6, and 7 are associated with 'Five Songs on Verses by Rückert' and 'Songs for a Lost Child', also called Rückert Symphony. There is no vocal music.
d.
No. 8: Song of the Earth: cantata-like No. 8, Song of the Earth with assimilated Lieder
e.
No. 9 and 10 (unfinished): instrumental pieces from the last years of his life, when he was conscious of his death
6)
The alternation here between instrumental only and with voice is very interesting and appears to be a cyclical change of thought due to Mahler's mastery of orchestration and love of vocal music and songs.
7)
'Song of the Earth' may, in this way, be the symphony opposite to No. 1. To be able to perform this Symphony of youth is a luxury beyond compare.
C)
8)
'Giants', deleted by Mahler himself, was initially a five-movement symphonic poem:
Mahler officially deleted the title 'Giants'. However, it is generally nicknamed by this title. The title 'The Giant' derives from the title of a full-length novel by the German writer Jean Paul.
The story is about a young man who experiences events that shape his personality and eventually lead him to the throne. Still, it is also interwoven with ideas opposing genius and megalomania.
It is not a celebration of titanism but rather an expression of a young man in his twenties who has awakened to life, has lyrical feelings and rushes into life with great vigour. But for Mahler, he thought it was not a sufficient title and would mislead the audience.
9)
The work was also initially a five-movement symphonic poem rather than a four-movement symphony and was given the following titles when it was performed in Hamburg in 1893.
All these titles, including 'The Giant', were discarded when the work was performed in Berlin in 1896.
Part 1: By the Days of Youth - Flowers, Fruits and Thorns
1. endless spring
2. chapter of Spring
3. sailing on a favourable wind
Part 2: Comedy of life
4. stranded (Caro-style funeral march)
5. from hell to heaven -an explosion of a deeply wounded heart
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 1
http://www.shinkyo.com/concert/p218-2.html
Antonio Pappano: Behind the Symphony - Mahle by London Symphony Orchestra
https://marquee.tv/videos/london-symphony-orchestra-antonio-pappano-behind-the-symphony-mahler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grJ_UqOlIJA
Ignite your passion for music with conductor Sir Antonio Pappano. In this exclusive Marquee TV series, Pappano explores the history and artistry of three iconic symphonies, revealing the secrets that make them so extraordinary. In this episode, Pappano explores the life and work of Gustav Mahler, taking a close look at his groundbreaking ''Symphony No.1.''
Stnature out into nature, where Mahler drew his inspiration, and back into the rehearsal room, Pappano unpacks the genius of Mahler's work. Learn how Mahler stretched the boundaries of the Symphony, captured nature and the spirit of nature in his music, and how his First Symphony evolved from its disastrous premiere to one of Mahler's most beloved works. Along the way, musicians from The London Symphony Orchestra share their experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on this heroic Symphony.
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 1, Movement 3 // Sir Antonio Pappano & London Symphony Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9IG2Eudjk&t=35s
Antonio Pappano in Rehearsal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hMTRVhcjXI
UE Mahler Interview with Antonio Pappano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p417Z4dub70
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 "Titan" | Gustavo Dudamel | Los Angeles Philharmonic | 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N0s9C63pSo&t=546s
Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1 "Titan" - Leonard Bernstein - Konzerthaus Vienna - 1974 - REMASTERED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MjEp_SAfS0
Mahler Symphony No.1 "The Titan" Walter Mahler Symphony No.1 "The Titan"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYpeykCM-gg
Mahler Sinfonie Nr 1 D-Dur „Titan“ Giuseppe Sinopoli Wiener Philharmoniker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvAMqm66DEI
Originally, Carlos Kleiber was the conductor scheduled to visit Japan in 1992. However, Kleiber suddenly cancelled the concert, so Sinopoli came to Japan. [Before] Kleiber programs: Schubert Symphony No.7(Unfinished Symphony) , Johann and Josef Strauss Polka and Waltz. [After] Sinopoli programs: Schubert Symphony No.7(Unfinished Symphony), Mahler Symphony No.1 Four months after the concert, concertmaster Hetzel died in an accident.
Giuseppe Sinopoli - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Sinopoli
Comparison: Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Finale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfqop8jf2ms
[Explanation of famous pieces] Mahler! Symphony No. 1 "Titan"! The charm of Mahler's symphonies is here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nel8dZATIQ
Symphony No. 1 (Mahler) - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%A4%E9%9F%BF%E6%9B%B2%E7%AC%AC1%E7%95%AA_(%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._1_(Mahler)
Personally, I like this part! Mahler Symphony No. 1
https://note.com/cbyoshida/n/ne985909f83d4
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Sir Antonio Pappano on Mahler's Symphony No 1 'Titan'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbfvhLV-g4
1)
00:00
It inspires orchestras to paint the First Symphony by any composer, which is a huge step. Look what it took for Brahms to write his first Symphony, always looking over his shoulder to Ludvig and Schubert the same.
2)
So Marer embarks on an Odyssey that will take him through nine Symphonies plus a voice symphony, the song of the Earth. This first Symphony Is a hymn to nature. For me, the composer's dance or interaction with nature is critical.
3)
00:52
It inspires orchestras to paint, imagine, and draw closer to nature. Marer's Symphony is incredible in its addressing his Jewish roots.
In the third movement, we have a Funeral March. The second movement is a stampeding, very rustic dance. The first movement is all bird song nature, the beginning of things' creation.
4)
The last movement is turbulence Tempest's struggle, which will Define his historic Journey his symphonic Journey through the rest of his Symphonies but again finds Solutions being the Conqueror winning uh at the end against all manner of adversity, and this is a very, very important theme not to be underestimated.
