Mahler Chamber(?) Music
Wed, Apr 7 2010, 9:14PM
Have just been to see the film Shutter Island and Leonardo Di Caprio makes a point of identifying a piece of music as Mahler Quartet for Piano and Strings. I initially thought he was mad. "Mahler only wrote symphonies and song cycles" I pompously told my friend. "It's Scorsese's clever way of hinting at Di Caprio's state of mind". I was wrong. It appears Mahler did write it. Does anyone have any information on it please? The Penguin and Gramophone Guides do not list it. Is it a good piece and worth seeking out? Appreciate any pointers.
Wed, Apr 7 2010, 10:21PM
#2
RE: Mahler Chamber(?) Music
This work is one of Mahler's student efforts. I have also heard reports that he wrote four early symphonies, but that unfortunately they were in a Dresden library when that city was bombed in 1945 and are now lost. What a pity!
There are also a couple of abortive early attempts to write operas, and Mahler also completed Weber's unfinished opera "Die Drei Pintos".
This has been recorded twice, with the late Gary Bertini conducting on RCA and more recently a live performance from Italy on the Dynamic label.
It's quite interesting and well-worth hearing.
Thu, Apr 8 2010, 8:06AM
#3
RE: Mahler Chamber(?) Music
It's a nice piece, here is a 9 min extraction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl4Watk_IDw&fmt=18
I have the Virgin version, now available as a 2CD set with Brahms as companion:
http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?pid=351046
Rolf
Fri, Apr 9 2010, 8:27PM
#4
RE: Mahler Chamber(?) Music
These lesser known works wll be a part of the Mahler Edition to be issued on the DG label in May. This set will also include all the symphonies & song cycles drawn from their own plus Decca and Philips catalogues. MDT list the full works and performers on the 18 CD set. Great price too £38.75 whch is cheaper than Amazon UK who are asking nearer £45.
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//4778825.htm
Steve
Fri, Apr 9 2010, 9:31PM
#5
RE: Mahler Chamber(?) Music
These lesser known works wll be a part of the Mahler Edition to be issued on the DG label in May. This set will also include all the symphonies & song cycles drawn from their own plus Decca and Philips catalogues. MDT list the full works and performers on the 18 CD set. Great price too £38.75 whch is cheaper than Amazon UK who are asking nearer £45.
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//4778825.htm
Steve
Note also the similar (but slightly cheaper) box forthcoming from EMI:
http://www.emiclassics.com/releaseabout.php?rid=49764
UK availability:
Sat, Apr 10 2010, 3:08PM
#6
RE: Mahler Chamber(?) Music
Hmmmm. both boxes are great value, with some superb performances and some I don't know (Boulez's 4th, Tennstedt's live 5th) some I have on vinyl, but only a couple (Rattle's Klagende Lied, Barbirolli's 6th) would I be duplicating on CD...the idea that for £75 I could get both is just too tempting...! Ah, me....
Does anyone have any information on it please? The Penguin and Gramophone Guides do not list it. Is it a good piece and worth seeking out? Appreciate any pointers.
It's interesting to hear, since it's Mahler's only surviving chamber work (albeit that it's incomplete).
The Eschenbach version, on the Ondine label, is worth having - even if the Piano Quartet doesn't grab you, you get a terrific version of Mahler Six..
Download - http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product1.aspx?pid=583986
Disc - http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Ondine/ODE10845D
Cheers
Spider
"Louder! Louder! I can still hear the singers!"
- Richard Strauss to the orchestra, at a rehearsal.