(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fJxNmJ_c6M/Tg2L2W1HQcI/AAAAAAAABj0/kpWS6A7yHL4/s1600/Mahler_klein.png)
This is a going to be a difficult poll for some (including myself), but to add further difficulty: there are two stipulations for this thread you can only name THREE favorite works and not anything above, or below, that number and there can also be no honorable mentions. Sorry folks, but you can't cheat. Not this time. $:)
My 'Top 3' favorite Mahler works (in no particular order):
Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9
Kindertotenlieder
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on October 25, 2016, 06:46:35 PM
Easy for me because I'm not a Mahlerian.
The three that have either deeply effected me or gave me very intense enjoyment are:
Symphony no 9
Wunderhorn
Symphony no 6
:)
Very nice list indeed. Love all of those works. Don't worry about you not being Mahlerian right now, but there's still hope for you yet. ;) ;D
Symphony 9
Symphony 2
Ruckert Lieder
Symphony No. 6
Das Lied von der Erde
Ruckert-Lieder
Sad to leave out everything else, but es muss sein!
Symphony #9
Symphony #2
Symphony #7
(Honorable mention: Piano Quartet.... just kidding )
Quote from: Mahlerian on October 25, 2016, 07:05:00 PM
Symphony No. 6
Das Lied von der Erde
Ruckert-Lieder
Sad to leave out everything else, but es muss sein!
I could have easily chosen
Ruckert-Lieder, but
Kindertotenlieder won the coin toss. ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 25, 2016, 07:06:59 PM
I could have easily chosen Ruckert-Lieder, but Kindertotenlieder won the coin toss. ;D
You are a coin toss. :D
Symphony No. 6
Das Lied
Symphony No. 10 (Adagio)
Symphony no. 7
Symphony no. 6
aaaaaaaaand..................................
???
I can't pick just one more! I do love the 3rd symphony, but do I love it more than the 1st or the 4th or DLVDE? Or Das Klagende Lied which is an utterly remarkable work? What about Kindertotenlieder? Rückert-Lieder? The many songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn which I adore (in orchestral AND piano versions)? I can't pick just one more.
Whatever, I think just as of today I will say Rückert-Lieder is the third on my list.
Symphony No. 7
Das Lied von der Erde
Symphony No. 9
This is actually easy.
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 9
In that order, but the 3rd place was very tough...
Des Knaben Wunderhorn - the whole collection, including the earlier Lieder, and the two later ones
Rückert Lieder - 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen' possibly is on the top of my Mahler's list
Symphony No.2
In chronologocal order:
- Symphony No. 4
- Rückert-Lieder
- Symphony No. 9
Same comment on Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen... that GioCar just posted ;)
My three:
Symphony No. 3 - All 6 movements are of the highest quality.
Symphony No. 6 - so intense all the way through.
Symphony No. 7 - very original work with a fabulous Scherzo 3rd movement with its ghostly echt Viennese Waltz rhythms.
First two are easy
9th symphony
Das Lied von der Erde
then probably the 6th symphony (would have been the 5th or 2nd years ago, but I am not that fond of them anymore)
"Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" is my favorite song but I do not care for the rest of the Rückert set.
3rd
7th
8th
Easy one, 2-3 and 8
Symphony 1 'Titan'
Symphony 9
Symphony 3 (a new discovery for me having heard it live recently).
7 and 9
Kindertotenlieder, although they're such an overwhelming emotional experience, one almost hesitates to list them, plus the thought of Mahler's loss of Maria lends even more Leid to the Lieder and then there's the troubling thought the songs may be cursed...ok, I just talked myself into switching to Das Lied von der Erde. (Sorry, John, it may look like I was squeezing in another Mahler in defiance of your guidelines, but honestly not the case).
Das Lied von der Erde
Symphony 1
Symphony 3
Quote from: Ghost Sonata on October 26, 2016, 05:01:30 AM
7 and 9
Kindertotenlieder, although they're such an overwhelming emotional experience, one almost hesitates to list them, plus the thought of Mahler's loss of Maria lends even more Leid to the Lieder and then there's the troubling thought the songs may be cursed...ok, I just talked myself into switching to Das Lied von der Erde. (Sorry, John, it may look like I was squeezing in another Mahler in defiance of your guidelines, but honestly not the case).
No worries, my friend.
To all: great lists!
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 26, 2016, 05:46:26 AM
No worries, my friend.
To all: great lists!
The only poor list I can imagine would be something like:
Piano Quartet
Im Lenz
Die drei Pintos completion
Quote from: Mahlerian on October 26, 2016, 06:22:21 AM
The only poor list I can imagine would be something like:
Piano Quartet
Im Lenz
Die drei Pintos completion
And you probably won't ever see a list like this either. ;D
Symphony No. 3
Wunderhorn
Symphony No. 4
Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2016, 04:53:30 AM
Symphony 3 (a new discovery for me having heard it live recently).
The 3rd is one I rediscovered and was completely blown away by it. This is monster of a symphony, but extremely compelling IMHO. Really puts my mind someplace else entirely.
Das Lied von der Erde
Des knaben wunderhorn
Symphony no 4
Rückert-Lieder
Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 9
My three, including top 2 favorite performances
Symphony No. 6 Solti/Chicago; Szell/Cleveland
Symphony No. 4 Maazel/Battle/Vienna; Honeck/Sunhae Im/Pittsburgh
Symphony No. 10 (Cooke) Ormandy/Philadelphia; Levine/Philadelphia
Sarge
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 26, 2016, 06:31:40 AM
The 3rd is one I rediscovered and was completely blown away by it. This is monster of a symphony, but extremely compelling IMHO. Really puts my mind someplace else entirely.
Seeing it live was amazing.
Pretty easy call...for the top two, that is :
# 2
# 6
# 1
;D
#9, #5, #6;
DLvdE rates very highly also.
7,9,10
Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2016, 08:55:22 AM
Seeing it live was amazing.
I bet. Who was the conductor, soprano, and orchestra?
Ah yes, live Mahler is always incredible. I have seen the 3rd in concert last December and it certainly blew me away! Prior to that concert I was relatively unfamiliar with it compared to the other Wunderhorn symphonies.
Symphony No. 6 is always No. 1 with me. Though I have owned many versions since 1987, when I started listening to Mahler, I have liked Bernstein's recording on CBS more than any other. It is my single favorite piece of music in any style.
Thanks to so much mention here on GMG lately, Symphony No. 3 is today's No. 2. My preferred versions are Bernstein's on CBS and Abbado's first recording (Wiener Philharmoniker).
Symphony No. 2 is in place No. 3 today. I like practically every version. I know absolutely nothing about music except what I like, and this symphony is to me like Mozart's Piano Concertos in that I pretty much like every version. In complete contradiction with everything I've written so far, the only version I haven't liked much was Bernstein's Ely Cathedral recording, the one that had the yellow cover in the first US CD release on CBS. The sound quality was so harsh on my then current stereo. I first enjoyed Simon Rattle's CBSO recording, then Bernstein's DG recording. And then Bernstein's first NYPO version on LP, and the older Solti recording, and one by Klemperer. Lots and lots of good No. 2s.
Nos 7 and 8 often appear in my top 3 as well.
At the moment:
#4
#9
#5 and Rückert-Lieder (dead heat)
The Rückert-Lieder are simply beautiful (prefer them in the order Ich atmet'.../Liebst du um.../Blicke mir nicht.../Um Mitternacht/Ich bin der Welt...), and I consider those three symphonies as Mahler's most consistent works, whatever that means. :)
Glad to see so much love for the Third and the Tenth. 8)
Quote from: Wanderer on October 26, 2016, 09:58:52 PM
Glad to see so much love for the Third and the Tenth. 8)
I also like No.10 10 (Adagio) and an alternative list would consist of 10 (Adagio),6 and 5.
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 26, 2016, 06:53:39 PM
I bet. Who was the conductor, soprano, and orchestra?
I've seen Mahler's Third live three times:
1. Warsaw PO, Antoni Wit, and I think Ewa Wolak?
2. Houston Symphony, Andres Orozco-Estrada, forget who the mezzo-soprano was
3. San Antonio Symphony, Sebastian Lang-Lessing
It was impressive each and every time, but the Warsaw/Wit concert is the single best concert I've ever been to. Never experienced another orchestra at that standard of playing.
That said, the NYPO/Bychkov Mahler 6 I saw earlier this year was pretty amazing! And a Houston/Alsop M1 was one of that orchestra's best performances. Mahler really does bring out the best in the band, live.
Quote from: Brian on October 27, 2016, 06:36:52 AM
I've seen Mahler's Third live three times:
1. Warsaw PO, Antoni Wit, and I think Ewa Wolak?
2. Houston Symphony, Andres Orozco-Estrada, forget who the mezzo-soprano was
3. San Antonio Symphony, Sebastian Lang-Lessing
It was impressive each and every time, but the Warsaw/Wit concert is the single best concert I've ever been to. Never experienced another orchestra at that standard of playing.
That said, the NYPO/Bychkov Mahler 6 I saw earlier this year was pretty amazing! And a Houston/Alsop M1 was one of that orchestra's best performances. Mahler really does bring out the best in the band, live.
Very nice, Brian. I would've loved to have seen that Wit concert. Great conductor IMHO.
Tough one, but:
Symphonies #3 and #8, Das Lied von der Erde
This should have been a Top 10 rather than a Top 3
Quote from: jessop on October 28, 2016, 05:10:37 PM
This should have been a Top 10 rather than a Top 3
But then where would the challenge in that be? ;) The reason I chose a 'Top 3' idea for a poll is because Mahler didn't really composed much music (I suppose I could have done the same for Berg as well). ;D
No. 7
No. 5
Das Lied von der Erde
(Haven't heard no. 10 yet, though)
Quote from: jochanaan on October 28, 2016, 01:44:28 PM
Tough one, but:
Symphonies #3 and #8, Das Lied von der Erde
8) Good to see another vote for the 3rd.
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on October 28, 2016, 07:27:32 PM
Oh yes, I love Ruggles. Not one of my favorite composers but I have strong memories associated with this CD:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0003/338/MI0003338233.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
:)
He's not a favorite of mine either, but
Sun-Treader and
Men and Mountains are pretty damn awesome. 8)
Quote from: jessop on October 28, 2016, 05:10:37 PM
This should have been a Top 10 rather than a Top 3
Nah!
I'd say this should be a Top 9 rather than Top 3. I mean, there's got to be a choice to me made somehow.
I'll have to change my picks (or at least one of them):
Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9
Rückert-Lieder
It's time to change my picks (again):
Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9
Das Lied von der Erde
8)
Jeez, dude, you even break your own rules ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 25, 2016, 06:40:44 PM
Sorry folks, but you can't cheat. Not this time. $:)
My 'Top 3' favorite Mahler works (in no particular order):
Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9
Kindertotenlieder
and yet:
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 08, 2016, 07:04:22 PM
I'll have to change my picks (or at least one of them):
Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9
Rückert-Lieder
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 14, 2016, 11:16:40 AM
It's time to change my picks (again):
Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9
Das Lied von der Erde
8)
Let me guess, tomorrow it will be 5, 9 and Wayfarer, right? ;D ;) It appears, so far, you've only got one real favorite: 9. The others you listed aren't favorites but merely flavors of the day.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 14, 2016, 11:40:51 AM
Jeez, dude, you even break your own rules ;D
and yet:
Let me guess, tomorrow it will be 5, 9 and Wayfarer, right? ;D ;) It appears, so far, you've only got one real favorite: 9. The others you listed aren't favorites but merely flavors of the day.
Sarge
:laugh:
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/02/mj-laughing.gif)
Piece of cake. Symphonies 2, 3 & 8.
I seem to have missed this poll - thanks for the bump Maestro267!
Don't have to think about this too much:
Symphony #2
Symphony #6
Symphony #9
Quote from: Conor71 on November 22, 2016, 12:02:00 AM
I seem to have missed this poll - thanks for the bump Maestro267!
Don't have to think about this too much:
Symphony #2
Symphony #6
Symphony #9
Great list, Conor. LOVE the 6th and the 9th. I'm still getting better acquainted with the 2nd (even though I've probably heard it a dozen or so times).
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on November 22, 2016, 12:09:04 AM
2,6,7,9 Wunderhorn ;)
Great to see the 7th has made it to your list! ;D
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on November 22, 2016, 11:22:29 PM
Yes it is a massive work, it's growing on me!
I also started paying attention to the 2nd which gave me a shock at times, "is this really Mahler?" lol ;D
It took me years and years to finally fall in love with the 2nd symphony. There were always isolated moments which I found attractive but I never liked the symphony as a whole until fairly recently. It's a very tricky work for me still, but I love it all now. :)
Symphonies 9, 10 & 6 (although that leaves out so much that comes close...)
Quote from: Mahlerian on October 26, 2016, 06:22:21 AM
The only poor list I can imagine would be something like:
Piano Quartet
Im Lenz
Die drei Pintos completion
I was hoping to read your own actual list, Mahlerian :)
Mine would be:
Symphony 9
Symphony 2
Das Lied
Quote from: Overtones on December 20, 2016, 12:33:58 AM
I was hoping to read your own actual list, Mahlerian :)
Mine would be:
Symphony 9
Symphony 2
Das Lied
That was on the first page:
Quote from: Mahlerian on October 25, 2016, 07:05:00 PM
Symphony No. 6
Das Lied von der Erde
Ruckert-Lieder
Sad to leave out everything else, but es muss sein!
Thanks and sorry I hadn't realized it
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 25, 2016, 10:08:35 PM
Lol,
2,6,7,8,9, Wunderhorn ;) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: >:D :laugh:
8 is a weaker one :P
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 25, 2016, 10:31:55 PM
I agree if you mean it drags on too much at the end but the first half is incredible though :o
uh lol no I find Part II much more interesting than Part I, which I find more boring overall :laugh:
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 25, 2016, 10:40:31 PM
lol, ok :laugh: :laugh: :'( :laugh: :laugh: ???
Yes I know I am weird and sometimes I just can't explain why I find some things rather more attractive than other things. ;D
Quote from: jessop on December 25, 2016, 10:28:29 PM
8 is a weaker one :P
No. 8 is a far stronger piece of music than No. 2, but somehow it gets all the flack.
Quote from: Mahlerian on December 26, 2016, 06:06:19 AM
No. 8 is a far stronger piece of music than No. 2, but somehow it gets all the flack.
I like both, but my favorite CD of all time is M6 and M8 on the 3-CD CBS set by Bernstein. The M2 that is part of that series I don't like as much, so I didn't appreciate M2 until later, the Rattle version. My favorite M2s now are both of Bernstein's NYPO recordings.
[asin]B00000DS76[/asin]
Symphonies 9 and 6. The Rückert lieder.
In the case of the latter, much depends on the artistry of the singer. Maureen Forrester towers above others from a great height.
Pretty sure it´s
- Symphonies 9, 10 (complete), and DLvdE.
This is the good CBS Bernstein Mahler 2 (NYPO), SACD hybrid:
[asin]B000ULV36E[/asin]
Let's see...
Symphony No. 6 in A minor
Das klagende Lied
Das Lied von der Erde
The 6th symphony is a work that I continuously come back to as I continue to find so much richness in it that I didn't quite find before. This isn't to say that many of the other symphonies don't do the same for me, but the 6th truly found a way under my skin. As I was mentioning to member, vers la flamme, in the 'Listening' thread I don't really have a preference for Scherzo-Andante or Andante-Scherzo as both have their own merits, but I've come really accustomed to Scherzo-Andante, but two of my favorite Mahlerians, Abbado and Rattle, favor Andante-Scherzo, which is fine. The symphony is so complex that it doesn't really matter at the end of the day as it's still an incredible piece no matter the order.
Today's list:
Symphony No.1
Symphony No.3 (especially since hearing it live)
Symphony No.6
#9 and Das Lied von der Erde are the first two.
Rather undecided about #3, probably #6 although it's a piece I still find somewhat difficult, so going by stuff I actually listened to more frequently, I'd have to name #5 but I think #6 is a superior piece.
I am somewhat surprised that Rückert Lieder get mentioned so often. "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" is my favorite Mahler song but I could easily do without the other 4 and as collections I prefer all the others.
Quote from: vandermolen on February 01, 2020, 11:08:46 PM
Today's list:
Symphony No.1
Symphony No.3 (especially since hearing it live)
Symphony No.6
The 3rd is an incredible work, Jeffrey. It's somewhat of an unwieldy beast, but with right conductor and a sympathetic orchestra, it can transform into something astonishing.
Quote from: Marc on October 26, 2016, 09:20:44 PM
At the moment:
#4
#9
#5 and Rückert-Lieder (dead heat)
The Rückert-Lieder are simply beautiful (prefer them in the order Ich atmet'.../Liebst du um.../Blicke mir nicht.../Um Mitternacht/Ich bin der Welt...), and I consider those three symphonies as Mahler's most consistent works, whatever that means. :)
At the moment, I agree.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 02, 2020, 05:58:45 AM
The 3rd is an incredible work, Jeffrey. It's somewhat of an unwieldy beast, but with right conductor and a sympathetic orchestra, it can transform into something astonishing.
I've really begun to appreciate it John having heard it live. A friend very kindly gave me a copy of Horenstein's legendary performance. Your thread is 'favourites' had it been greatest I'd have to have included No.9. However I enjoy all the movements in symphonies 1,3 and 6 but am less keen on the middle movements of No.9. Having said that I think that the first and last movement of No.9 are perhaps the greatest he wrote and profoundly moving (especially in Klemerer's EMI recording). I love the CD coupling of No.1 and the Agagio of No.10.
As here:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on February 02, 2020, 06:56:36 AM
I've really begun to appreciate it John having heard it live. A friend very kindly gave me a copy of Horenstein's legendary performance. Your thread is 'favourites' had it been greatest I'd have to have included No.9. However I enjoy all the movements in symphonies 1,3 and 6 but am less keen on the middle movements of No.9. Having said that I think that the first and last movement of No.9 are perhaps the greatest he wrote and profoundly moving (especially in Klemerer's EMI recording). I love the CD coupling of No.1 and the Agagio of No.10.
As here:
(https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=26329.0;attach=62402;image)
I'm a huge fan of Abbado's Mahler. He's like the yin to Bernstein's yang. I couldn't be without either conductor when it comes to Mahler. I also very much like Rattle, Boulez, and Tennstedt. The 9th is a masterpiece, but I love every movement, but, yes, the first and final movements are exceptional and deeply compelling. There's simply nothing like them in any symphony that anyone wrote. If push came to shove, Mahler is my favorite symphonist of them all for the sheer fact that I get lost in his music (in the most magical way possible). My favorite 9th, at the moment, is Bernstein with the Wiener Philharmoniker on DG.
My list (for now):
Symphony No.9
Das Lied von der Erde
Symphony No.4
I love Mahler, though I don't often get to carve out big enough chunks of listening time to appreciate it properly.
I would have to say that my three all-time favorites are symphonies 2, 6, and 3.
For 2 in particular, I always tend to go back to older recordings, stuff like Klemperer, Stokowski, and Bruno Walter. Not sure why... Mahler is definitely helped by a good, modern recording, but it's hard to shake the old favorites.
For 6, I have many favorites, but I really grew to love the work by listening to Barbirolli and Bernstein DG... so yeah I like it dramatic and over the top.
For 3, I don't really have a clear favorite, but for whatever reason I like performances of this one to be a bit cooler and less romanticized than the other two; I like several modern recordings like Abbado and Chailly, though I've probably listened most over the years to Bernstein Sony and Haitink.
Quote from: j winter on February 02, 2020, 11:48:29 AM
I love Mahler, though I don't often get to carve out big enough chunks of listening time to appreciate it properly.
I would have to say that my three all-time favorites are symphonies 2, 6, and 3.
For 2 in particular, I always tend to go back to older recordings, stuff like Klemperer, Stokowski, and Bruno Walter. Not sure why... Mahler is definitely helped by a good, modern recording, but it's hard to shake the old favorites.
For 6, I have many favorites, but I really grew to love the work by listening to Barbirolli and Bernstein DG... so yeah I like it dramatic and over the top.
For 3, I don't really have a clear favorite, but for whatever reason I like performances of this one to be a bit cooler and less romanticized than the other two; I like several modern recordings like Abbado and Chailly, though I've probably listened most over the years to Bernstein Sony and Haitink.
Have you ever heard the Barbirolli/Hallé BBC recording of the Mahler 3rd? It's supposed to be really good. Personally, I love Bernstein Sony. I've felt no need to move past this one, especially as I did not enjoy the much touted Horenstein/London recording very much.
Quote from: vers la flamme on February 02, 2020, 11:52:45 AM
Have you ever heard the Barbirolli/Hallé BBC recording of the Mahler 3rd? It's supposed to be really good. Personally, I love Bernstein Sony. I've felt no need to move past this one, especially as I did not enjoy the much touted Horenstein/London recording very much.
I think I probably have the Barbirolli 3 -- I was fairly obssesed with Mahler several years ago -- but I don't specifically recall it. I'll dig through the files and give it a listen soon if I do...
Symphony No. 6
followed closely by Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 9
I should appreciate his vocal works better. Das Lied von der Erde, despite being a masterpiece, doesn't appeal to me that much.