Mahler vs. Dvorak!!!

[Mirror Image]

I love Dvořák, but Mahler is one of my musical soulmates. Das Lied von der Erde alone catapults him to the top of my favorite composers list.

[Symphonic Addict]

In terms of output, Dvorak by more than a mile. So, my decision is... banana!

[kyjo]

A strange matchup, I must say! Well, it should come as no surprise who I chose. I'll take Dvorak's sunny tunefulness over Mahler's tormented neurosis any day. Plus, as Cesar pointed out, Dvorak wrote in and excelled in every genre except ballet, whereas Mahler only composed symphonies and song cycles. In any case, it's great to see that these two great composers are nearly tied in the polls! (BTW, what I said about Mahler's "tormented neurosis" was partially a comical exaggeration. Partially! )

[Mirror Image]

In terms of output, Dvorak by a mora than a mile. So, my decision is... banana!

A strange matchup, I must say! Well, it should come as no surprise who I chose. I'll take Dvorak's sunny tunefulness over Mahler's tormented neurosis any day. Plus, as Cesar pointed out, Dvorak wrote in and excelled in every genre except ballet, whereas Mahler only composed symphonies and song cycles. In any case, it's great to see that these two great composers are nearly tied in the polls! (BTW, what I said about Mahler's "tormented neurosis" was partially a comical exaggeration. Partially! )

Yes, this is a rather strange pairing. Brahms and Dvořák would've been a more likely comparison of which I would choose Dvořák in a heartbeat.

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, this is a rather strange pairing. Brahms and Dvořák would've been a more likely comparison of which I would choose Dvořák in a heartbeat.

Hah! More banana for me, please! 

[Mirror Image]

Hah! More banana for me, please! 

I just don't get Brahms and I don't think I ever will. Not really my kind of composer.

[Symphonic Addict]

I just don't get Brahms and I don't think I ever will. Not really my kind of composer.

You're more into the Wagner-Bruckner-Liszt axis, I already knew! 

[Mirror Image]

You're more into the Wagner-Bruckner-Liszt axis, I already knew! 

Damn right!

[LKB]

I just don't get Brahms and I don't think I ever will. Not really my kind of composer.

Never say never...

[Jo498]

Mahler, but not by much, as I often prefer chamber music. However, the heights of Mahler are a bit higher or more essential for me, although I'd hate to be without Dvorak's late chamber music or cello concerto.
And Brahms over both, no contest for me here.

[Biffo]

I wouldn't want to be without Mahler, Dvorak or Brahms, ranking them in order would be pointless.

[Mirror Image]

Never say never...

I've been trying for 13 years and I honestly don't see a breakthrough happening.

[ritter]

I've been trying for 13 years and I honestly don't see a breakthrough happening.

You're not alone, John, you're not alone! I tried for 30 years, and gave up...

Good day to you!

[LKB]

I've been trying for 13 years and I honestly don't see a breakthrough happening.

Even so, try to remain open. Thirteen years is not a huge span of of time in the life of a music- lover, unless they're either very young or very unlucky. There is almost certainly Brahms you haven't heard yet, possibly in sub- genres you haven't thought of. 

Anyway, with Mahler in your life you're well- served even if Brahms cannot take hold. 

[LKB]

Dvorak will always have a place in my heart. Symphonies 8 and 9, the American string quartet, the wind Serenade and the Te Deum were all part of my musical life by the time l was 20 years old. His music is very stylistically distinct, with charm, joy and a warm tenderness all its own. But...

When l first encountered Mahler's First Symphony in 1975, something happened within me. It was as though something l hadn't even known was present had been switched on. As though my soul was waking up, for the very first time.

The more Mahler l learned, the greater his impact. In 1980 l performed the Resurrection Symphony ( no. 2 ) for the first time. It felt as though l had been led to God, a pretty impressive trick as I've always been agnostic.

In 1982 l was privileged to attend a concert with Bernard Haitink conducting his RCO in Mahler's Symphony no. 7, still the greatest concert I've ever witnessed going back to 1966.

Over the next few years l memorized symphonies 3 - 9, DLvdE and the song cycles. I held off on the Tenth, after reading about Mr. Cooke and the others who were trying to wrestle the available text into something performable.
Once l decided that these efforts were vain as far as authenticity was concerned, l finally familiarized myself with the first movement. That was enough for Bernstein and for Haitink, and it's enough for me.

Mahler expresses the entire perceptual world in human terms. Love, adversity, solace, humor, youthful exuberance and the deepest regard of man's cosmic significance are all represented.

For this, his higher aim and broader intellectual achievements, l give the nod to Mahler.

[Symphonic Addict]

Dvorak will always have a place in my heart. Symphonies 8 and 9, the American string quartet, the wind Serenade and the Te Deum were all part of my musical life by the time l was 20 years old. His music is very stylistically distinct, with charm, joy and a warm tenderness all its own. But...

When l first encountered Mahler's First Symphony in 1975, something happened within me. It was as though something l hadn't even known was present had been switched on. As though my soul was waking up, for the very first time.

The more Mahler l learned, the greater his impact. In 1980 l performed the Resurrection Symphony ( no. 2 ) for the first time. It felt as though l had been led to God, a pretty impressive trick as I've always been agnostic.

In 1982 l was privileged to attend a concert with Bernard Haitink conducting his RCO in Mahler's Symphony no. 7, still the greatest concert I've ever witnessed going back to 1966.

Over the next few years l memorized symphonies 3 - 9, DLvdE and the song cycles. I held off on the Tenth, after reading about Mr. Cooke and the others who were trying to wrestle the available text into something performable.
Once l decided that these efforts were vain as far as authenticity was concerned, l finally familiarized myself with the first movement. That was enough for Bernstein and for Haitink, and it's enough for me.

Mahler expresses the entire perceptual world in human terms. Love, adversity, solace, humor, youthful exuberance and the deepest regard of man's cosmic significance are all represented.

For this, his higher aim and broader intellectual achievements, l give the nod to Mahler.

Good to read, thanks!

[Roasted Swan]

Easy choice Dvorak for the range and variety of his achievement. Mahler might be great at what he does but he's a one trick pony (too late I've already ducked.......!)

[Mirror Image]

You're not alone, John, you're not alone! I tried for 30 years, and gave up...

Good day to you!

Good to hear that I'm not alone with this particular indifference. Of course, there are many composers I love that you do not and vice versa. It's all good, though. We're all moved by different things.

[Mirror Image]

Even so, try to remain open. Thirteen years is not a huge span of of time in the life of a music- lover, unless they're either very young or very unlucky. There is almost certainly Brahms you haven't heard yet, possibly in sub- genres you haven't thought of. 

Anyway, with Mahler in your life you're well- served even if Brahms cannot take hold. 

I'll keep the door cracked for Brahms, but that's about all I'm willing to do at this juncture.

[LKB]

That seems completely reasonable.