Vote for your absolute favourite Mahler Symphony!

[Mirror Image]

Most of us who would respond to this thread may agree we love all of Mahler.

I don't love all of Mahler. I think he's a composer who has his moments of brilliance, but I can't listen to him very often as he wears me out. I really, really like Symphonies Nos. 5-7. Too bad I can't vote three times.

[Amfortas]

I don't love all of Mahler. I think he's a composer who has his moments of brilliance, but I can't listen to him very often as he wears me out. I really, really like Symphonies Nos. 5-7. Too bad I can't vote three times.

I did say 'most' not 'all' of us 

[Brian]

1 - love it (Kubelik/Audite!)
2 - first movement bores me
3 - loved seeing it live, amazing experience, need a CD
4 - haven't heard
5 - bores me
6 - haven't heard
7 - haven't heard
8 - quite like it actually
9 - haven't heard
[10] - haven't heard

[Brahmsian]

Wow, some people actually voted for the 8th and 4th as their favorites.    I mean, as their absolute favorites, I am shocked.

I didn't expect No. 9 to be running away with it, I thought I'd be a two horse race between No. 1 and No. 5.

[Papy Oli]

ooh tough call between 2 & 6... but the Resurrection edges it for me...

37 versions to 23 as well ... 

[DavidRoss]

If you asked me some time ago, you may get 9, 1, 3, 6 or 2 as your answer. But going my current form, it is the 7th! Yes!

Yay, Paul!

[Brahmsian]

My current three favorites are (in order):

6th
*7th
9th

Just over a year ago, the 7th was near the bottom, as it was a major head scratcher, and I just couldn't get it or grasp.  Now, I love it!

[ibanezmonster]

Conventional wisdom says the Fifth is the most popular Mahler symphony. Odd that it's gotten zero votes so far.

Sarge

1 and 5 are the most popular probably because they are best for getting people into Mahler in the first place. Popularity in general doesn't usually describe the popularity of something to hardcore listeners (and most people here are hardcore listeners, rather than casual)- that's probably the best explanation for why 9 and 6 are out in front. I even know someone in real life who likes Mahler's 5th.

[DavidW]

1 and 5 got me into Mahler.  They are short, pack a punch and the individual movements are highly melodic.

[eyeresist]

Sadly, not having voted, I am unable to view the results (I click the link, but it doesn't work). Glad to hear the 7th is getting some love!

Of course, I never considered 10th as a real Mahler (complete) symphony so that one did not count for me.

I can only pity you  0:)

[Bulldog]

Wow, some people actually voted for the 8th and 4th as their favorites.    I mean, as their absolute favorites, I am shocked.

With these new facts in your arsenal, you won't be shocked in the future.  This is good.

[springrite]

The 7th is fantastic and one of my favorite Mahler symphonies too. A work of real ambition I think. Do you have a favorite performance? I think my favorite is Abbado's, but I liked Rattle, Boulez, and Gielen.

My current favorite is Tennstedt LIVE (Cleveland) on MEMORIES. Also loves Abbado and Boulez, as different as they are. I first feel in love with this work at a LA Phil concert with Gielen conducting. But I don't have the Gielen on CD.

[DavidRoss]

No love for DLVDE, sniff. 

[springrite]

Sadly, not having voted, I am unable to view the results (I click the link, but it doesn't work). Glad to hear the 7th is getting some love!

I can only pity you  0:)

The "some love" translates to only the one vote from me.

I of course do love the 10th. Did I ever say otherwise? I just did not want to consider it along with the others based on the fact that what wer hear is not 100% Mahler. That is all.

[Sergeant Rock]

Glad to hear the 7th is getting some love!

"Some love" doesn't really describe it. I advise you not to vote if you prefer not to be disillusioned 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

No love for DLVDE, sniff. 

It's  a work for yodelers and orchestra. Works for yodelers never get many votes around here. I'm surprised how many classical fans detest the classically trained voice.


Sarge

[Renfield]

It's  a work for yodelers and orchestra. Works for yodelers never get many votes around here. I'm surprised how many classical fans detest the classically trained voice.


Sarge

Or even choirs. Poor Mahler 8th.

[Brahmsian]

It's  a work for yodelers and orchestra. Works for yodelers never get many votes around here. I'm surprised how many classical fans detest the classically trained voice.


Sarge

I am become more and more accustomed to it.  In fact, for vocal and choral works, I prefer foreign languange.  I cannot stomach and detest works sung in language I can understand.  I think it has to do with my now being averse to pop/rock music.

Probably why I detest 'A Sea Symphony' and 'The Mystic Trumpeter' so much.  So, I know to avoid English vocal/choral music especially.

When I can't understand the language, I like it better because the human voice becomes more like just another instrument for me.

[Sergeant Rock]

Wow, some people actually voted for the 8th and 4th as their favorites.    I mean, as their absolute favorites, I am shocked.

I was seriously considering voting for the Fourth. From being the one Mahler symphony I really didn't like (when I was young and ignorant) it has become the symphony I listen to most often...probably twice as often as its nearest competitor. And the Eighth? One of music's most awesome creations.

Sarge

[springrite]

Or even choirs. Poor Mahler 8th.

I guess the problem for some people is that it is choirS, not choir.

Wait... that didn't bother me as much in the Gothic... What that choir or choirS?