Anybody here listen to Mahler?


I have always been a fan of classical music but I never really understood or got into Gustav Mahler music. Over the holidays I’ve been listening to the Leonard Bernstein conducted symphonies and I have to say I am pretty blown away and  Mahler seems like bridge from the Germanic classical music to modern classical music. I am especially smitten by the second symphony also known as the resurrection. Any thoughts on Mahler symphonies that you really like and why would be appreciated. Mahler seems very influential on present composers. . I am especially smitten by the second symphony also known as the resurrection. Any thoughts on Mahler symphonies that you really like and why would be appreciated. Boy does his music work out your hi-fi and especially your speakers

tuberist

YES! For the past 40+ years!  IMO Mahler is the greatest  symphonic composer!!

As someone wrote, with each of Zander’s recordings with the Philharmonia Orchestra (on Telarc) there was included a separate disk with lengthy explanations of history, context, his conducting choices, examples of other conductors’ choices, examples, etc. For his Mahler 2 on Linn there was a download. I personally gained a good deal of insight from listening to these.

It seems that these "Discussion Disk" audios are now freely available for Mahler’s Symphonies 1,2,3,5,6,and 9. (4 is not there. He did not record 7 or 8.) They are on the page given and on succeeding ones mixed with other audios.

https://www.benjaminzander.org/audio/

Agreed. Just listened to symphony #2.  Resurrection.  Leonard Bernstein with New York Philharmonic Orchestra.  Incredible.

I just purchase Mahler 9 on vinyl through Amazon. Leonard Bernstein Berliner Philharmoni excellent recording and pressing.