Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (Live) Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra & Mariss Jansons

• 1 I. Langsam, schleppend 15:55
• 2 II. Kraftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell 07:59
• 3 III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen 10:41
• 4 IV. Sturmisch bewegt 19:59
• Total Runtime 54:34

Info for Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (Live)

Composing at the end of the Romantic era, as Mahler found himself doing, must have been something of a challenge. Many classical conventions had not just been questioned, but had been completely overthrown.

Composers’ emotions had been expressed in music in the most heartfelt of ways and everyone from Beethoven to Berlioz, via Brahms and Bizet, had composed masterpieces. So, along comes Mahler, inevitably a product of his day, but also a composer who was determined to break new ground. How did he do it? By applying a whole new meaning to the word ‘orchestra’.

Despite the changes that had already occurred to orchestras in terms of the music they played, very few composers were yet to tamper with how this group of musicians was actually constructed. Mahler, however, decided to challenge the status quo. He called for a much larger orchestra than would have been expected. Orchestral sections were introduced, extra players were added, and the result was a symphony that very much lives up to its nickname.

Composed when Mahler was twenty-eight, Titan exudes youthful exuberance and joy, though it then gives way to melancholy and introspection. The composer was ultimately to shape the history of the symphony – and the clues to his long-term intentions were there for all to see in his first attempt at the genre.

“Whatever the formidable competition, the present disc finds the Amsterdam team on superb form and if you warm to a comfortable, mainstream approach you need look no further. Jansons has always brought off the finale with the instinctive panache characteristic of his best work.” (Gramophone)

“this live recording of Mahler's First Symphony is probably the best you will ever hear…As to the tempi and dynamic changes, they are simply gorgeous. An inspired performance.” (The Independent on Sunday)

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, conductor

Recorded live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 28 August and 17 November 2006

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Booklet for Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (Live)