Mahler's orchestral music?

Question

What are some good pieces by Mahler I already own his 5th symphony?

Answer 1

The next on your list should be the absolutely wonderful No.1 -
Then 2 and 9.

Answer 2

Symphony #2 should be your next stop. Get Simon Rattle's recording of the piece, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Symphony #1 is nice, too. Lots of people like Symphony #4, so you should give that a try. I'm not a real big fan of that one, but it's pretty popular.

You should also look for a recording of "Kindertotenlieder"-- it's a song cycle for voice and orchestra. It's very moving. There's a recording of Barbirolli conducting, with Dame Janet Baker singing -- I haven't heard this recording, but I've heard good reviews! That disc also has his "5 Rückert Lieder" which is way cool.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Mahler!! Enjoy!!

Answer 3

I won't suggest anything specifically. The symphonies are altogether a gigantic, consistent block of concrete. The other works (Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Das Lied von der Erde, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen) have their themes generously poured into the symphonies. I can tell you what I did: in the late 70s / early 80's I had a college-mate that drove me crazy with his fanatical attitude to Mahler; every darn morning he'd put the 5th adagietto and that was the alarm-clock of the day.
So in 1983 I decided to buy all Mahler's symphonies (by different conductors and orchestras), and went for a full immersion that lasted from January to April. Mahler all the time and only him (because that guy insisted that it was a world of its own); one night I listened to 3rd and at the end I put the record on again. In total, 3h.10m. I emerged after the 10th adagio in a terrifying mood but that cold turkey run paid off. DON'T DO THAT, but try to use a systematic approach, otherwise pick here, pick there and you'll never understand what it's all about.

Later: I don't like to jump into others' opinons but what Edik suggests is exactly what in my view you should not do. Start with the 1st (the Titan) and move serially on. Just when you approach 2nd you'll notice the quantic leap to a totally different formal world. Remember that M. prescribed that after Resurrection's first movement there should be a break of at least 20 minutes. 3rd and 4th are both emedded in the sound of nature (naturlaut), but the difference in the treatment is abysmal. In 3rd beginning, 8 horns blow together to mark the power of life and then a grotesque circus fanfare represents the coming of summer. In 7th, a gigantic final rondò mocks Wagner's Meistersinger ouverture theme, and in 8th (1000 Symphony), there are just two colossal movements, the first is a 'Veni creator spiritus' with organ and the second is the scene of Goethe's Faust finale with 8 solo singers.
You can't jump here and there (you shouldn't, then do as you like).

Answer 4

Mahler is not for everyone, so don't expect to love all his music as everyone here seems to be saying. In my scale of classical music, Mahler is in the Advanced range, meaning the average person won't like it.

I would think that the most accessible symphony of his is most definitely his Second Symphony. The most melodic of all his symphonies, it is his most popular symphony. I first became aware of it during the death of Pope John Paul II, when I learned though Sirius Radio's classical channel that this symphony was his favorite. The station played it, and I was completely amazed. It begins with an intensly dark first movement, followed by a melancholic second, a schizophrenic third, a soothing fourth, and a monumental fifth movement! I definitely suggest you listen to the first and final movements, and especially the recording made by Sir Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!

If you end up loving that, you'll also love his First Symphony. Not as lyrical as the Second, but still good. The other symphonies...well, you have to have a special ear to understand them and to like them.

Answer 5

Well if you liked the 5th you're probably going to like all of his Symphonies. Das Lied von der Erde (sp?) is really fine as well.
Mahler had a BIG NOSE!

Answer 6

9th is my personal favorite, try to get Karajan's or Bruno Walter's recordings. His 2nd, 6th and 7th are also amazing. His 10th as completed by Barshai is also a good listen. You should pretty much like all his symphonies, there aren't any weak ones.

Answer 7

# 8 will blow your hair back. "Symphony of a Thousand" it used to be called . That because of the very large orchestra, chorus, plus boys chorus, and 8 (I think) solo singers.

Its a giganitc piece and a real test for your sound system.

Answer 8

If you like the adagietto movement, you might like the slow movement from no 9, and the adagio fragment from the incomplete no 10