Benjamin Zander Pre-concert Talk: Mahler Symphony No. 5

Recorded live April 26, 2019.

[@adityabhattacharyya8302]

Small correction in Zander's speech...Anna Mahler was Gustav's second daughter and died in 1988. Her daughter and Gustav's grand-daughter is Marina Mahler who talked with Zander wished good luck to the Boston Phil

[@stooge389]

One thing the history books will accurately recall is that Benjamin Zander could conduct Mahler's ninth, standing stock still, using only his breath. And I would die on that hill. It's approximately enough true that we may as well round up to 100% true.

[@srothbardt]

The trumpet theme comes from the middle of the development in the first movement in the Fourth Symphony.

[@curtisunit]

God what an enjoyable explanation. Ben’s passion here reminds me of Lenny’s in his concerts for young people. Thanks to Ben for his service to the music and in bringing it to the people.

[@bebeaggad3302]

One of my short term goals is to come to Boston , mainly to see sir Benjamin z’s symphony , i would be pleased and extremely honored to have the opportunity to meet such a genius if even for a minute

[@OmicronFra]

This is stunning

[@jkgou1]

Thank you very much for detail interpretation Very helpful and instructive to understand Mahler. I didn’t know Mahler very well Now better

[@mitre1]

Brilliant introduction. Thank you!

[@Nymeria0]

Brilliant explanation and images that he conjures are so spot on. Sends chills down my spines. Thank you. It’s often very difficult to explain images that symphonies conjures up, he is so explicit, it’s a treasure and so helpful for listeners.

[@alias3549]

This is philosophy.

[@CharlesRBiggs]

Prof. Zander rocks!

[@g.o2792]

The fourth movement is awesome.

[@wolfgangresch1650]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️

[@barryguerrero7652]

Oops, Ben, Marina is the granddaughter. Her mother was Anna Mahler, Gustav's surviving daughter, and her father was the conductor Anatole Fistoulari. I'm sure you were just tripped up while trying to stay focused on your lecture, which I enjoyed.

[@wolfgangresch1650]

Just a slip of the tongue 🤜🤛

[@fredwanger9337]

Of course Marina is Mahlers "granddaughter" the child of sculptor daughter Anna and Conductor Anatole Fistoulari. Very entertaining video.

[@vilebrequin6923]

"Wie ein Naturlaut"....

[@Twentythousandlps]

Zander ignores Mahler's written tempo for the slow movement: "Sehr langsam", which comes back as Tempo I "Molto adagio". Very slow, that is.

[@garrysmodsketches]

"Adagietto" and "sehr langsam" are two contradictory tempo markings, so Mahler leave the actual tempo at the discretion of the conductor. Mahler himself conducted it in about 9 minutes.

[@CalBruin]

I was meaning to disagree with the notion that the Adagietto was to be played fast(er) than usually performed. Romantic/love songs are played slow. Other than some Classic Rock song, love songs are played slow to recapture the emotional resonance of falling and being in love.

[@alias3549]

But the adagietto itself does sound more dramatic if slowed down, don't you agree?

[@CalBruin]

@@alias3549 , oh yes, hence why I disagree with Zander.

[@ApsisApocynthion]

Mahler himself played it faster, but I’m glad that there multiple interpretations out there to fit anyones preference. I agree with Zander however, it’s a piece full of optimism and he did write it for his wife to play.

[@CalBruin]

@@ApsisApocynthion Zander said so. Which makese wonder, how much faster? The fifth movement is the same theme played faster. What puzzles me is how on the back of CDs where the track listings, there is Sehr langsam ("very slow[ly]") right next to track 4 of the 4th Movement which I had thought always was notes by Mahler.

[@andrewbentley849]

One of the reasons Mahler removed titles from his symphonic movements is so that people could make their own associations with his music - unrestricted by the titles. This movement I like a little slower than Zander does.

[@P00TANARA]

listening to him annoys me...

[@slimislime]

reading your comment annoys me...

[@P00TANARA]

@@slimislime THEN DONT