On this recording we get to enjoy the following music by:
- Schumann, Strauss, and Mahler
This DVD set includes some of the greatest works by Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas, Kurt Sanderling, Hartmut Haenchen and Erich Leinsdorf.
These major compositions are as follows:
Mahler:
- Symphony No. 1 in D major ‘Titan’
- Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor – Adagietto
- Symphony No. 6 in A minor ‘Tragic’
Schumann:
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Strauss, R:
- Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40
- Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Richard Strauss (1864–1949) and Gustav Mahler (1860–1911) were two of the finest conductors and composers of their day, and they often conducted each other’s music.
Mahler conducted many of Strauss’ works including the tone poem “Ein Heldenleben” featured on this set. Richard Strauss was also a great supporter of Mahler’s music, referring to himself as ‘the first Mahlerian’.
Despite their very different personalities, Strauss and Mahler remained good friends from their first meeting in Leipzig in 1887 as young conductors until Mahler’s death in 1911. Strauss, on the other hand, lived another 38 years after Gustav Mahler died.
Here is Richard Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben”, Op. 40 conducted by Mariss Jansons:
Let me end with the ever – moving “Adagietto” from Mahler’s Symphony #5: