Gustav Mahler's "Mahler: The Symphonies" is a monumental collection that encapsulates the essence of the Austrian composer's life and musical genius. Released on January 1, 2005, by Decca Music Group Ltd., this 12-disc set spans an impressive 10 hours and 13 minutes, offering a comprehensive journey through Mahler's symphonic works. From the powerful and dramatic "Symphony No. 1 in D" to the grand and awe-inspiring "Symphony No. 8 in E flat," known as the "Symphony of a Thousand," this collection showcases Mahler's evolution as a composer and his profound ability to convey deep human emotions and philosophical themes through music.
The album features Mahler's complete symphonies, including the iconic "Resurrection" Symphony (No. 2), the introspective "Symphony No. 4," the intense and dramatic "Symphony No. 5," the monumental "Symphony No. 6 in A minor," and the innovative "Symphony No. 7 in E minor." Each symphony is a masterpiece in its own right, reflecting Mahler's unique style and his ability to blend orchestral forces with vocal elements, as heard in the choral sections of the "Symphony of a Thousand."
Gustav Mahler, born in 1860 and passing away in 1911, was an Austrian composer and conductor whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. His symphonies are known for their rich harmonies, complex structures, and profound emotional depth. Mahler's music often explores themes of life, death, and the human condition, making his works both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving.
This collection is a testament to Mahler's enduring legacy and his influence on the development of symphonic music. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Mahler's works, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. Immerse yourself in the intricate orchestrations, powerful melodies, and profound themes that have made Gustav Mahler one of the most celebrated composers in history.
Symphony No. 1 in D: 1. Langsam. SchleppendGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 1 in D: 2. Kräftig bewegtGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 1 in D: 3. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppenGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 1 in D: 4. Stürmisch bewegtGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem AusdruckGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlichGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 3. Scherzo: In ruhig fliessender BewegungGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 4. "O Röschen rot! Der Mensch liegt in grösster Not!" (Sehr feierlich aber schlicht) Text from Des Knaben Wunderhorn: "Urlicht"Gustav Mahler, Petra Lang, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 5a. Im Tempo des Scherzos. Wild herausfahrend -Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 2 in C minor - "Resurrection": 5d. "Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du" (Langsam. Misterioso) - Text after F.G. Klopstock: "Auferstehung"Gustav Mahler, Melanie Diener, Petra Lang, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 1: 1. Kräftig. EntschiedenGustav Mahler, Ivan Meylemans, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 2: 2. Tempo di Menuetto. Sehr mässigGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 3: 3. Comodo. Seherzando. Ohne HastGustav Mahler, Frits Damrow, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 4: 4. Sehr langsam. Misterioso. "O Mensch! Gib acht!"Gustav Mahler, Petra Lang, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 5: 5. Lustig im Tempo und keck im AusdruckGustav Mahler, Petra Lang, Netherlands Children's Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor / Pt. 6: 6. Langsam. Ruhevoll. EmpfundenGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 4 in G: 1. Bedächtig. Nicht eilenGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 4 in G: 2. In gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne HastGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 4 in G: 3. RuhevollGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 4 in G: 4. Sehr behaglichGustav Mahler, Barbara Bonney, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 5: I. TrauermarschGustav Mahler, Peter Masseurs, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 5: II. Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter VehemenzGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 5: III. Scherzo. Kräftig, nicht zu schnellGustav Mahler, Jakob Slagter, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsamGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 5: V. Rondo-Finale. AllegroGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: 1. Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig aber MarkigGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: 2. Scherzo (Wuchtig)Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: 3. Andante moderatoGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: 4. Finale (Allegro moderato)Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: 1. Langsam - AllegroGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: 2. Nachtmusik (Allegro moderato)Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: 3. ScherzoGustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: 4. Nachtmusik (Andante amoroso)Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: 5. Rondo - Finale (Allegro ordinario - Allegro moderato ma energico)Gustav Mahler, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Veni creator spiritus"Gustav Mahler, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Imple superna gratia"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Ben Heppner, Peter Mattei, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Infirma nostri corporis"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Ben Heppner, Peter Mattei, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Vesko Eshkenazy, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Accende lumen sensibus"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Ben Heppner, Peter Mattei, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Jongens en meisjes van het Kathedrale Koor St.Bavo, Haarlem, Sacramentskoor Breda, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Veni, Creator...Da gaudiorum praemia"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Ben Heppner, Peter Mattei, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Jongens en meisjes van het Kathedrale Koor St.Bavo, Haarlem, Sacramentskoor Breda, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part One: Hymnus "Veni creator spiritus": "Gloria sit Patri Domino"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Ben Heppner, Peter Mattei, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Jongens en meisjes van het Kathedrale Koor St.Bavo, Haarlem, Sacramentskoor Breda, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": Poco adagio: "Waldung, sie schwankt heran"Gustav Mahler, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Ewiger Wonnebrand"Gustav Mahler, Peter Mattei, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" / Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Füßen"Gustav Mahler, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Gerettet ist das edle Glied"Gustav Mahler, Anne Schwanewilms, Ben Heppner, Vesko Eshkenazy, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Jongens en meisjes van het Kathedrale Koor St.Bavo, Haarlem, Sacramentskoor Breda, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" / Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Uns bleibt ein Erdenrest"Gustav Mahler, Sara Fulgoni, Ben Heppner, Vesko Eshkenazy, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Höchste Herrscherin der Welt"Gustav Mahler, Ben Heppner, Vesko Eshkenazy, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Dir, der Unberührbaren"Gustav Mahler, Anne Schwanewilms, Vesko Eshkenazy, Netherlands Radio Choir, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Bei der Liebe, die den Fussen"Gustav Mahler, Jane Eaglen, Sara Fulgoni, Anna Larsson, Vesko Eshkenazy, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Neige, neige, du Ohnegleiche"Gustav Mahler, Anne Schwanewilms, Ruth Ziesak, Netherlands Radio Choir, Jongens en meisjes van het Kathedrale Koor St.Bavo, Haarlem, Jongenskoor van het Kathedrale Koor St. Bavo, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 8 in E flat - "Symphony of a Thousand" - Part Two: Final scene from Goethe's "Faust": "Komm! Komm!"Gustav Mahler, Ruth Ziesak, Netherlands Radio Choir, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly