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Synopsis
Some maintain that Mahler invented a new musical language that informed every composer in the twentieth century. Others find aspects of his work emotionally harrowing. Music journalist Hurwitz considers the needs of both novice and expert listeners in his examination of the themes of each of Mahler's completed symphonies and their relationships to
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This work, composed between 1884 and 1888, ranks along with the Symphonie fantastique of Berlioz as one of the most remarkable first symphonies by any musician. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
This work, composed between 1884 and 1888, ranks along with the Symphonie fantastique of Berlioz as one of the most remarkable first symphonies by any musician. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although I regularly read and enjoy David Hurwitz' reviews on classicstoday.com this book was a disappointment to me. Several chapters are included in the CD notes to Michael Gielen's (excellent) series of Mahler recordings on the Hanssler Classic label, all of which I have.
The book itself is a series of notes about what you are hearing and from which insrument as you listen to whatever Mahler symphony you have on. I have tried this with symphonies 1 & 4 and it didn't really work very well.
I find it better to understand more about what Mahler was drawing our attention to through musical expression rather than his orchestration. This book does not help with that at all.
In the end, I feel that most would be better off with a set of Mahler symphonies - from several conductors - and a good biography.
The book itself is a series of notes about what you are hearing and from which insrument as you listen to whatever Mahler symphony you have on. I have tried this with symphonies 1 & 4 and it didn't really work very well.
I find it better to understand more about what Mahler was drawing our attention to through musical expression rather than his orchestration. This book does not help with that at all.
In the end, I feel that most would be better off with a set of Mahler symphonies - from several conductors - and a good biography.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I hugely enjoy David Hurwitz' cd reviews on Classics Today, which are witty, incisive and knowledgeable, with a refreshing absence of undue reverence for the big names in the music industry (record labels and conductors alike) and a total lack of the conspicuous chauvinism that German reviewers display. On the strength of those reviews I have bought many a cd and the choices I made that way have seldom been disappointing.
But on this book: I partly agree with reviewer A. Johnston when he remarks that "Mahler's expressive and easthetic motivations" are not dealt with. What would also have been helpful are extracts from the symphonies' scores to illustrate certain passages (as in Truscott's book on Franz Schmidt's symphonies), so that you can not only hear (on the accompanying cd) but also see the complexity of Mahler's music.
Since in Mahler's music so many things go on, the book is cetainly valuable to the listener since it helps him / her(?) to understand what is happening and how this connects to what went on before and what to expect next. I still find myslef consulting the book every time I listen to a Mahler symphony and I find that it adds to my listening pleasure, so much of what Hurwitz set out to do is achieved.
But on this book: I partly agree with reviewer A. Johnston when he remarks that "Mahler's expressive and easthetic motivations" are not dealt with. What would also have been helpful are extracts from the symphonies' scores to illustrate certain passages (as in Truscott's book on Franz Schmidt's symphonies), so that you can not only hear (on the accompanying cd) but also see the complexity of Mahler's music.
Since in Mahler's music so many things go on, the book is cetainly valuable to the listener since it helps him / her(?) to understand what is happening and how this connects to what went on before and what to expect next. I still find myslef consulting the book every time I listen to a Mahler symphony and I find that it adds to my listening pleasure, so much of what Hurwitz set out to do is achieved.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Finally! I was so pleased to find a book that's about the music. Mahler can be a bit daunting at times, especially for people new to classical music. This was a refreshing change from most other books that consist mainly of biographical/academic/psuedo-intellectual twaddle. Buy this book if you enjoy music!
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