Topic: Favourite parts of Mahler 5?

[MISHUGINA]

There is probably no other movement that has so much duality and conflict as the 2nd movement. Yeah call me weird, but I love that movement best. That doesn't mean the rest of the movement are least interesting to heard anyways.

[Sergeant Rock]

better than when i took my dad to see it...... he's like, "i don't know...."

I had fairly good luck with my parents. They didn't complain too bitterly when I forced them to attend every Mahler concert in Cleveland and Akron during the 70s- They heard 1. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Sometimes they even enjoyed it    I remember Dad got a kick out of the near-Meistersinger quotes in the Finale of the Seventh. He was grinning from ear to ear when I looked over at him. That was during my evangelical phase, when I was trying to make a Mahler convert out of everyone. I've mellowed since then, passing the torch on to you young dudes.

Sarge

[Bonehelm]

I repeatedly listened to the Scherzo, and can make no sense out of it so far. All other movements seem to enjoyable...

Have heard late Bernstein, Abbado, Karajan, Mehta and Rattle.

[Dana]

This is an unfair comment to make, but what I'd like to say is Mahler desperately needed an editor.

      I disagree as well. Climaxes are only worth as much as you prepare for them - the ending of the scherzo (my favorite movement) is proof of that. The french horn writing is terrifically entertaining and diabolical in this movement. I especially enjoy the part near the end where he works the orchestra into a frothy frenzy, cuts out for the solo horn, and then brings the whole orchestra back - what a catastrophe! And then just when the symphony seems resigned to yet another failure, Mahler opts for the surprise major ending! What a rousing finale to the second part!

[Dana]

      Incidentally, I also enjoy the Adagietto, but it depends on who does it; the performers often try to make it too "hot," per se, but I prefer it more beautiful than passionate. Maazel comes close here.