Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[relm1]

So glad you went, and even gladder it was a beautiful experience. (Just curious, where did you end up sitting? I have been in a few places in Disney Hall, all of which had their advantages.)

As you allude to in your second paragraph, Mahler has much more to offer than explosives, as great as those moments are. One of his many strengths is the ability to go full bore with ear-shattering force, and then a few measures later, shrink down to tiny whispers. I've said it often: a lot of Mahler is like chamber music, even in enormous works like the Eighth.

And I'm glad you teared up! Has happened to me, and frankly, that piece should cause that reaction.

How did you know I went to Disney?  You have ESP?  I sat in the spot to take this picture so a very decent seat.  Also good, there was a recent CD released of his songs which I very much enjoyed.  I was surprised that Urlicht came from a prior song cycle.  I liked the chamber quality of the songs and of course they are very deep, personal, and intimate.  You're right that he can do climaxes like no bodies business but can do whispers just as well.

[brewski]

Haha, no ESP, just research on a hunch. In September, when you mentioned a Mahler 2 performance in October and high ticket prices, I thought it might be the LA Phil, and voila. The piece isn't performed that often, so it was easy to find.

And that angle shows you got perhaps an ideal vantage point — for that piece, farther back is a good choice.

[relm1]

Haha, no ESP, just research on a hunch. In September, when you mentioned a Mahler 2 performance in October and high ticket prices, I thought it might be the LA Phil, and voila. The piece isn't performed that often, so it was easy to find.

And that angle shows you got perhaps an ideal vantage point — for that piece, farther back is a good choice.

It was a perfect auditory and visual experience.  The organ was right in my face.  Interestingly, the off stage players were in the rear so gave a neat surround effect.