Gustav Mahler (jan 1, 1860 – jan 1, 1911)

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Mahler
A. Gustav Mahler: Conductor and Composer
1. The music of Mahler best represents “philosophy music.”
2. Born into a Jewish family, Mahler converted to Catholicism to be eligible for the post
of director at the Vienna Court Opera.
a. His first important musical successes came as a conductor.
b. He later accepted posts in New York, with the Met Opera and the Philharmonic.
3. As a conductor Mahler was a perfectionist.
a. He required that the orchestra be well rehearsed.
b. He reinstated cuts that had been in Wagner’s operas.
c. He darkened the opera house so that people could not socialize as easily.
d. He didn’t let latecomers in.
4. Mahler did not compose an opera, but he had much dramatic music in his works.
B. Mahler’s Lieder
1. Mahler’s earliest significant works were songs; in this respect he followed the Viennese tradition of lieder.
2. The lieder fall into two phases.
a. The 1880–1990s: folk-based songs, written to lyrics from folk poets, especially Das Knaben Wunderhorn.
b. Later: different directions, first in the use of poems of Rückert, the Kindertotenlieder; and finally with the Chinese poetry in Das Lied von der Erde.

“Down with Programs!”
1. Mahler’s Second Symphony, like the First, also began as a symphonic poem, this one on death.
2. It is known as the “Resurrection” and requires the largest orchestra ever demanded at this point, as well as a chorus.
3. Some of the movements refer to earlier songs, and the middle includes an entire Wunderhorn piece entitled Urlicht.
4. Documents relating to the composition of Symphony No. 3 reveal that Mahler was inspired by extramusical elements when writing his symphonies.
5. Nonetheless, in 1900 he said, “Down with programs, which are always misinterpreted.” He ceased providing them at this point.
6. At this time, we note Mahler’s “middle period.”
7. The Fifth Symphony has subtle allusions to his songs.

The Late Works
1. Mahler left for New York in 1907, returning to Austria to compose in the summers.
2. The Eighth Symphony, premiering in 1910, was his most popular success.
a. Known as the “Symphony of a Thousand,” the first performance had 1,029 performers.
b. More oratorio than symphony, the entire work is sung.
3. At the same time, Mahler composed Das Lied von der Erde, which he described as a “Symphony for Tenor and Alto Voice and Orchestra.”
4. Death was a frequent theme or at least provided atmosphere for much of Mahler’s music, and the final three major works can be seen as a trilogy that reflects on death in a real and tangible fashion.
5. After his death in 1911, Schoenberg and others gave him titles such as “martyr” and
“saint,” and to many he was seen as a prophet.

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