Rott v. Mahler - Symphonies

[Winky Willy]

Which of these two masterworks do you consider superior?

[North Star]

Daniel, put down the hammer!

[Bulldog]

Which of these two masterworks do you consider superior?

Mahler's 1st.  I think you're being a little generous in describing both symphonies as masterworks.

[mahler10th]

 
Winky, you should not have started this...lol...anyone here on GMG will tell you that I am Hans Rott #1 fan, perhaps in the World.  I have become near expert in his works and life from a non-musicians standpoint, and will argue any point, ANY POINT, in Hans Rott's favour. 

So...first it is intolerable that his first be set against Mahlers 1st for comparison.  It is known Mahler imported and tweaked some lieder accompaniements to fit the schema of his first symphony.  Rotts only symphony is a bona-fide symphony, written as a symphony and presented as a symphony.  No programme for it.  Mahler did try to cobble up a program for his admittedly brilliant first symphony, but Hans let his speak for itself.

Oh dear...you've got me going...       

[Bulldog]

Winky, you should not have started this...lol...anyone here on GMG will tell you that I am Hans Rott #1 fan, perhaps in the World.  I have become near expert in his works and life from a non-musicians standpoint, and will argue any point, ANY POINT, in Hans Rott's favour. 

So...first it is intolerable that his first be set against Mahlers 1st for comparison. 

What symphony do you feel would make for a better comparison?

[mahler10th]

I'm not sure you can compare the two works as they are really different, but in any case, Rott's symphony remains a curiosity, a great one, but not more. Mahler's Titan is a masterpiece in itself.

Not much of a curiosity when Mahler learned and took so much from it.  Mahlers Titan isn't even Mahlers Titan.  It is not even Titan.  It is simply "Symphony No. 1 in D major" - that is how it was published.  Mahler worked on it for years...Rott was only 20 when he wrote the last bar of his first.   Oh no...now I'm getting....

[mahler10th]

What symphony do you feel would make for a better comparison?

None.  But unbiased, maybe Bruckners nulte.  But I am not unbiased.  I am unequivocal when it comes to the genius that could have been.  None.

[madaboutmahler]

Daniel, put down the hammer!

Will have to go with my default choice here of course. The Rott is still a wonderful piece though.

[Winky Willy]

Bulldog, you must have a rather remarkably high standard for judging mastery!

[Bulldog]

Bulldog, you must have a rather remarkably high standard for judging mastery!

No, just not a low standard.  From my view, masters in any profession/endeavor are the cream of the crop and rather rare.  I'm always surprised at the number of relatively obscure composers who are touted on this board as masters of composition and inspiration.

Rott might well have been a master if he had the time and experience; we'll never know.

[Winky Willy]

I agree that too many obscure composers are presented by their devotees as masters, but in all seriousness, I believe the Mahler and Rott symphonies are a different beast.

[mahler10th]

I agree that too many obscure composers are presented by their devotees as masters, but in all seriousness, I believe the Mahler and Rott symphonies are a different beast.

I too agree that Rott cannot be considered a 'Master', such an idea is outrageous.  He died too young and his known compositions are too few.  What he did though, was set the soundscape path for his contemporary master(s) to blaze upon. 

[Lisztianwagner]

Quite easy, Mahler's symphony No.1 for me.

[mszczuj]

There is no way to compare symphony you have heard 3 times with symphony you have heard about 70 times.

[Sergeant Rock]

As part of GMG's Rott Mafia, and a certified Mahler nut, I'm not going to touch this poll 

Sarge

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on Today at 17:11:48

As part of GMG's Rott Mafia,

and a certified Mahler nut, I'm not going to touch this poll 

Sarge

[mahler10th]

I hereby declare myself the Capo di tutti capi of the GMG Hans Rott Mafia.  Only the delivery of a fish wrapped in brown paper to Dennis Russell Davies or...er...Cato, will mean that the situation has changed.  So...tell some of the button men holed up in Cleveland to pay our friend Mahler a little visit...salute!