De La Grange wrote the definitive biography, of course, (though how many enthusiasts here can honestly say they've read every word of all 4 vols.?), - and Donald Mitchell has a multi-volume work in progress which I believe treats more of the music than Mahler's life.
I've not delved into these, but less ambitiously have been satisfied with Jonathan Carr's manageable "life" and Deryck Cooke's short introduction to the music (Carr's book lacks much musical analysis and evaluation). There's another (short) volume by Michael Kennedy I've looked at which devotes roughly equal attention to life and works in seperate sections. Also I remember a memoir type book by Bruno Walter from long ago.
What else about Mahler for the non-musician and non-specialist is out there that might be recommendable?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Quote from: J on October 21, 2008, 04:20:54 PM
What else about Mahler for the non-musician and non-specialist is out there that might be recommendable?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Here's a great one for the Mahler novice.
http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies-Owners-Manual-CD/dp/1574670999/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224639347&sr=1-1
The Cambridge Companion to Mahler provides a nice overview, though I think it's a little light on analysis of the symphonies, and it has biographical and critical information. I don't know if it's the last source I'd go to, but it would be among the first -- just to get a little nugget on the work of interest. I will say, by way of undermining my previous comments, that the section on the early stuff (up through Das klagende Lied) is nice.
Has anyone here read this book? Any thoughts?
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/P/0140243283.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SX500_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140243283/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140243283/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1)
This book could be a good companion to a biographic book. It's in large format with many photographs and short biographic details as well.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519VLevl6xL._SX439_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Quote from: Artem on May 02, 2022, 01:25:47 AM
This book could be a good companion to a biographic book. It's in large format with many photographs and short biographic details as well.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519VLevl6xL._SX439_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
I own that book and it is lovely, indeed. Some exquisite photos of the composer and his family throughout.
And also The Shed, if I remember correctly it being featured in the book.