Today is the anniversary of the birth of one of my favorite composers, Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), who, though he made his reputation in Vienna and beyond, was born in the small Bohemian town of Kaliště (down near Tábor, where I’m going on Friday).
He said that the symphony should "encompass the whole world," and his do. Man and nature, time and eternity, agony and joy. The beautiful slow movement from his Fifth Symphony was used in the movie "Death in Venice" in the 1970s and became a big soundtrack hit.
If you want a taste of his Symphony #2, here's a link.
In his honor, today I’m listening to #6, #9, and the unfinished #10.
Wow, that is one 'animated' orchestra ... you could almost get motion sickness watching them! The conductor was the relatively still person in the whole bunch! Beautiful, Roger.
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