just bought Mahler's full colection

[pchuang]

i am going to be honest here. i guess i need a hell of lot more education to understand his work.

or

the man is not worth the money i have paid. his works remind me some modern art crap: ugly, chaotic, hard to swallow, self-indulgence and overrated no talent. yet people are afraid to admit it for fear of being looked down upon.

educate me please!

give your thoughts.

[pchuang]

i just did a topic search and found none.

please give me some directions. thanks.

[Bonehelm]

Check out my thread "I'm lost in Mahler/Bruckner's music". Many recommendations there.

What set did you get? What label, who's the conductor, what orchestra?

I suggest that you start with the 1st symphony...it's the most melodic and beginner-friendly.

[mahlertitan]

geez, what's wrong with people nowadays? they are not ready, yet they force them selves to listen to music of Bruckner and Mahler, of course you don't like it, I suggest you drop mahler for a while, change your direction, do Beethoven and Schubert (Complete works).

[AnthonyAthletic]

Do you have any idea how many current Mahler threads are actively discussing this very topic?

Hey, you sound like our very own Moderator Uffeviking.

Give the guy a break, Man he's a newbie.

How about telling him "welcome to the forum"?

[DavidW]

Well pchuang you won't do that again, will you?  Yeah we all do that, don't worry about it.

As for the adjectives-- I think you're trying to come up with words to describe your revulsion, but can't find them.  Your rant lacks focus.  It's all right, we get the point, you don't like Mahler.

[Kullervo]

How about telling him "welcome to the forum"?

I thought the Introductions section was for that purpose.

[AnthonyAthletic]

Well pchuang you won't do that again, will you?  Yeah we all do that, don't worry about it.

As for the adjectives-- I think you're trying to come up with words to describe your revulsion, but can't find them.  Your rant lacks focus.  It's all right, we get the point, you don't like Mahler.

Just needs a bit of encouragement, needs to buy 12 sets (2 on dvd) and 400 other cds like any normal person would and take it from there    He will learn to love Mahler.  Me thinks he is a newbie to Mahler....I was like that with Bruckner on first hearing...now he is a demi God LOL

[AnthonyAthletic]

I thought the Introductions section was for that purpose.

LOL, but it costs nothing to be friendly to a new fish within any thread.  D just answered the person's question with a question which is a shame.

[DavidW]

Just needs a bit of encouragement, needs to buy 12 sets (2 on dvd) and 400 other cds like any normal person would and take it from there    He will learn to love Mahler.  Me thinks he is a newbie to Mahler....I was like that with Bruckner on first hearing...now he is a demi God LOL

You know I think is also how Scientology works...

[Josquin des Prez]

My only reservations with Mahler are his often exaggerated orchestration and out of place nationalistic passages.

Other then that he is an excellent composer and one of the best symphonist in the repertory. You don't have to force yourself but don't write him off either. BTW, i think a good performance is crucial for this composer and if the set you bought remains unsatisfactory you might want to try something else. I'm not a Mahler specialist myself but the good folks here might be able to help you...

[PerfectWagnerite]

i am going to be honest here. i guess i need a hell of lot more education to understand his work.

or

the man is not worth the money i have paid. his works remind me some modern art crap: ugly, chaotic, hard to swallow, self-indulgence and overrated no talent. yet people are afraid to admit it for fear of being looked down upon.

educate me please!

give your thoughts.

I think Dittersdorf and Bruhns is more for you. Simple music for simple minds.

[mahlertitan]

My only reservations with Mahler are his often exaggerated orchestration and out of place nationalistic passages.

"nationalistic" passages? for a man who said he was three times homeless, i fail to see which nationality he is trying to glorify.

[71 dB]

I think Dittersdorf and Bruhns is more for you. Simple music for simple minds.

I suppose you are familiar with the works of Dittersdorf and Bruhns PerfectWagnerite?

[Josquin des Prez]

"nationalistic" passages? for a man who said he was three times homeless, i fail to see which nationality he is trying to glorify.

Fair enough, may i should shut my mouth regarding composers i'm still somewhat unfamiliar with.

Either way, i'm referring to all the folk references and marching band like passages, which i took to be an attempt at imbuing his music with nationalistic passages, much like most other composers of the time...

[Josquin des Prez]

I suppose you are familiar with the works of Dittersdorf and Bruhns PerfectWagnerite?

I hope you are not trying to argue Mahler isn't more complex then either of those, because he is.

[Bonehelm]

I hope you are not trying to argue Mahler isn't more complex then either of those, because he is.

Lol, I certainly hope he won't start all that E L G A R vs Mahler complexity rant again.

[Don]

I think Dittersdorf and Bruhns is more for you. Simple music for simple minds.

Why do you lump Bruhns in with Dittersdorf?

[pchuang]

i am very impressed. thank you all for help.
it was not my intention to offend any Mahler-lovers as i said that i needed a hell of lot more education on the subject.

here is my confession:

this is what i bought: grammophon mahler/sinopoli the complete recordings philharmonia orchestra 15 cd set (the guy in the store told me this is the top of the range, you know what i mean.)

this is why i bought it: i heard his Adagietto from symphony 5 in C-sharp minor and i thought to myself, the man is so sensitive and exquisite, yet with such great power and energy. the most impressive part is that he is different.

[david johnson]

by all means, send the poor, offending discs to me and i shall give them a caring home !

welcome aboard.

dj