Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 6 (Lucerne Festival Orcherstra, Claudio Abbado)

Recorded live at the Lucerne Festival, Summer 2006
Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne, 10. August 2006
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Claudio Abbado - conductor
Chapters:
00:00 Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 6 in A Minor
00:45 I. Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig, aber markig (22:52)
24:40 II. Andante moderato (14:58)
39:37 III. Scherzo. Wuchtig - (Trio) Altväterisch. Grazioso (13:03)
52:44 IV. Finale. Allegro moderato - Allegro energico (33:16)
The Lucerne Festival each year opens with a concert given by the resident Lucerne Festival Orchestra. This is an élite ensemble founded by Claudio Abbado that is based on the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, to which are added internationally renowned soloists and chamber musicians. Marking the centenary of the symphony's première in 1906, Abbado leads a heartfelt rendition of Mahler's tragic and prophetic Symphony No. 6; the performance was made all the more powerful because of Abbado's long association with Mahler's music.

[@aassyyssaa]

If you play this at 10:54:09 PM during New Year's Eve, the first hammer strike will play exactly 12:00 AM

[@eliokolx2032]

Wonderfull to know

[@user-ju7gg8so1o]

Thank you for such a fascinating advice!!!

[@eerovahtola8170]

Imagine a youtube add popping up at 11:59:59

[@user-fd5gy7md2p]

​@@eerovahtola8170 lol

[@dora71803]

Mahler stands alone, like a prelude of what would lie ahead in years to come, Abbado depicts Mahler perfectly, astonishing stuff.

[@giuseppemariaperego8937]

"Rest in peace Grande Maestro Claudio Abbado!" ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Giuseppe Perego Monza 16.2.1962 Grazie

[@IDani83]

Now that's a really educated audience. They doesn't make a sound for more than 30 seconds after the piece ends !

[@colinpierpoint5380]

I agree. Many years ago I heard the sixth in Birmingham Town Hall (England). The audience started to applaud in the pianissimo before the final climax! The conductor (Louis Fremaux if I remember correctly) just looked devastated.

[@pedroaugustoescudeiro2865]

@@colinpierpoint5380 this is sad...

[@pipster1891]

Or they didn't know it was the end because it doesn't have a clear "this is the end" finish.

[@thomasley4006]

@@pipster1891 They absolutely did. It’s just a really good audience. As usual in Lucerne.

[@vilebrequin6923]

@@pipster1891 they knew. They were in awe, naturally.

[@user-vi6ex8bu5c]

Высочайшее искусство и слушательская культура. Оркестр и Клаудио Аббадо - вы прекрасны в своем единении .

[@andreslka]

Everyone talks about the adagietto from the 5th, but the andante from the 6th is not from this world. Amazing performance.

[@mydogskips2]

I've actually thought that for a long time now. However, I have come to much more greatly appreciate the adagietto from the 5th(under Karajan it's truly sublime); being slower it has a much different tone and expresses very different ideas and feelings from the 6th's andante, which is much more of an anguished spirit culminating in triumph to me. But of course that precedes the hammer blows of the final movement. I now like them both a great deal.

[@annakimborahpa]

Agreed. The 5th Adagietto is a short and sweet love song for his wife Alma scored for strings and harp, while the 6th Andante is a well developed symphonic movement scored for full orchestra that the listener must be patient with before it delivers a double payload in its second half. And when it delivers, OMG, beginning with (1) the return of the main theme at 36:19 in the low brass/double basses, followed by (2) the surprise modulation fully established at 37:16. As you say, Andre, "not from this world."

[@perlagonzalez7188]

André people who only listen but dont study music just got headaches reading that 😂😂

[@logodaedalist]

Absoultely agree the adagio of the sixth symphony is Mahler’s best adagio

[@pazcastrocorbat]

muchas gracias!!! por hacer que lo conozca, coincido totalmente, Elvira

[@hugoantunes5832]

The smile on Abbado's face after each movement, what a passion

[@user-qh8bw7uq5t]

I love his smile very much, too.

[@naras4295]

Love his smugness.

[@wotan9630]

After the piece finished, the few seconds focused on Claudio Abbado brought a lump to my throat, he must have been exhausted beyond endurance. Taking his illness into consideration I am not surprised. Gee, what a man and what a musician. Beyond human endurance. May his memory and his legacy never be forgotten.!!!!

[@mutantbananas1]

Have you checked out his rendition of Maher's 9th symphony with this same orchestra? The last few minutes will surely have you tearing up

[@emilianoturazzi]

same thought here

[@giuliafrosi9524]

N E V E R

[@vilebrequin6923]

Amen!

[@wisnudivayana2344]

Man. Internet is the best man achievement. I can heard this performance for free !!

[@UTubeSL]

37:15 always brings tears to my eyes... Just beautiful.

[@logodaedalist]

Me too the same part exactly 😭😭

[@balthazarnaylor5874]

feels like you just surmounted a gigantic hill and you can see the beautiful sunset

[@femto7153]

The closest I've ever come to crying when listening to music, pure sublimity.

[@seongmin_choi1123]

It literally touches and shivers every time i hear it.

[@paulprondamusic]

😭😭Yes

[@annacyran716]

Tragic Symphonie...and Claudio Abbado...a wonderful conductor, at such an age he created this wonderful festival in Lucerne ... now he lies in Sils Maria, among the beautiful Alps .. and his soul looks down on this beautiful nature in the Engadin! Merci for all the Beauty! 🙏💙🎼💙💔

[@u.v.s.5583]

This symphony always makes me want to practice more and more, for 40 hours every day. What do I play? Why, of course, the mighty Hammer.

[@pagisvstavay9340]

Our hero and guru! Keep it up!!

[@h.harrison5841]

Abbado was one of the great Mahler interpreters.

[@virginiatommasone6070]

I gesti, le mani, le espressioni del viso, il suo colloquio muto con gli artisti, il suo entusiasmo nel condividere gli applausi con i singoli e con tutta l'orchestra indicano il suo farsi strumento di realizzazione della bellezza e dell'amore assoluto per la musica. Vederlo mentre dirige aiuta i profani ad entrare nella creazione artistica e nei sentimenti che l'hanno suscitata. Grazie Abbado, ovunque tu sia.

[@alessandromarchesini9039]

Sig.ra Virginia Tommasone, lei sa parlare al di fuori dei luoghi comuni, cosi' ben sostenuti dalla sua insostenibile prolissità? Penso che Claudio Abbado sarebbe fuggito a gambe levate di fronte al suo "lirismo"...

[@eliasmasri9878]

This music is deadly infectious. I think I’ve caught Mahleria.

[@artofmusic303]

Abbado was such a graceful conductor. Everything balanced, connected, nothing neglected. This is quite a meaty symphony and this group of musicians is so good. The brass have so many wonderful parts throughout this work, including beautiful lyrical passages for the trombones. And wow - the audience doesn't make a sound for a full 40 seconds after the piece ends, letting it slowly settle into the silence!

[@ershenlin1774]

He does have a shortcoming - TOO expansive (especially in the 2nd and 3rd), perhaps more so than Karajan.

[@davidmayhew6918]

Don’t like the incessant marching, heard better.

[@jacintoduqueherrera6655]

A

[@redgit9905]

B

[@ctfamily40]

That smile on the timpanist's face at 38:00! What music making is all about :-)

[@MrJapanese25]

52:30

[@Jivvi]

@@MrJapanese25 39:27

[@luigisaglietti5084]

Arealgod!

[@johnwestlake208]

This guy possesses the most beautiful conducting gestures among conductors of the last century.

[@msxwiki]

Possessed, actually.

[@alessandromarchesini9039]

This guy? John Westlake you can not joke about Claudio Abbado. I'm Italian, i'm proud to be Italian; Claudio Abbado is a wonderful expression of Italian Art and Culture in the world. Claudio Abbado and the many Italians Giants of Art, Culture, Science in every time are not your cow boys, if you speak about your cow boys garbage culture, you can to say "guy" but not about Claudio Abbado and Italian Culture...Please, keep silent and learn the respect. Listen pop music, trash "artists" like madonna, lady gaga and many more...it's just your "culture", understand poor guy? Hide yourself, it's better.

[@FacediGu]

Elegance, modesty, nobility. Abbado was pure class.

[@humphreyaugustus2932]

When I establish my global dictatorship, the first 3 minutes of this will be my march anthem!

[@eliezer017]

World will recognize your supremacy for exactly 3 minutes.

[@laurendeanvalentino]

My dictatorship's music x 2

[@hufemeve]

I adore the way Maestro Abbado was enjoying wholeheartedly the music and how the Orquestra was magnificently responding & performing the music under his direction. It seems to me he was emotional overwhelmed at the end- almost crying? Maestro Abbado to me was meant to elevate Malher's music to its heavenly limits- which he achieved.

[@giuliafrosi9524]

Si, prossimo alle lacrime

[@PurpleN8te20]

24:07 that climax of the 1st movement is so heavenly.

[@LisztyLiszt]

And the changing from a major to minor triad underneath is subtle but devastating.

[@angowong1407]

That chord I can't describe but it is not a complex chord but right chord in the right place Sophisticated

[@JoseMedina-sv8uy]

Sublime. Claudio Abbado pasa a la historia como uno de los grandes directores de Mahler de todos los tiempos. Gracias por compartir. Saludos desde México.

[@tommeggle4386]

What an amazing silence and superb performance by this incredible conductor and orchestra. Wished I would have been there...

[@artisuryavanshi7785]

1:10:34 to 1:10:52 is exceptionally brilliant.The strings that start after the hammer strike create an echo.From 1:10:34 there is a crescendo which turns into something the world has never seen.

[@waniakarlalouzadamoura9021]

YES.

[@lilyayusupova2932]

1:10:34 Thanks for this time-code. I've come here for the sake of "Bum!" (Faced the shorts about it recently) Now I m curious to listen to it completely.

[@MatthiasGuentherDE]

It is becoming more and more my favourite Mahler symphony. And the Lucerne performance is simply splendid.

[@gljamil]

One of the most demanding, beautiful, challenging mastepieces! Wonderful interpretation! Unforgettable Claudio Abbado!

[@luistessio]

Gracias Gustav Mahler por tu musica : Gracias Maestro Claudio Abbado por hacer que su magia perdure.

[@logodaedalist]

Two andantes never fail to bring my tears: the andante of Tchaikovsky’s symphony No. 5 and that of Mahler’s symphony No. 6. I am in tears now

[@SquidKing]

both have fantastic french horn parts, there's a correlation here 😁

[@georgesayache7089]

Des hommes tels qu'Abbado ne devraient jamais disparaître.

[@ldf_md]

X: What instrument do you play? 49:47 : _spaghetti_

[@pedrolacipolla3862]

Buoni spadellati con pomodorini aglio e cipolla. Basilico e un po di origano e sono perfetti.. Ah al dente per favore

[@ClassicHolic]

@@pedrolacipolla3862 semplice e buono!

[@Amirhosein-hn4gl]

It is rute

[@adamtredanari2260]

Esilarante

[@colinpierpoint5380]

I have read that Mahler was never satisfied with the sound of the hammer blows, but these were perfect.

[@ninaa252ify]

Meraviglioso!!!!! Ci manca tanto tanto MAESTRO

[@hazimaldujaili5240]

Such as a great performance .. Abbado made all the instrument telling the right story in this great piece of music .

[@defi_dude]

Greatest Conductor of all time! There is only one Abbado...

[@matteogenerani5097]

24:05 - #MahlerSpecialChord

[@logodaedalist]

The adagio of this symphony melts the heart 💔

[@yvmak1639]

The andante, if you please :)

[@logodaedalist]

Іван Чумаченко aka slow movement 😉

[@gerardocoluccini1751]

I like to think that when I will close my eyes and leave this dimension, in the last glimmer of consciousness, I will listen to these notes and they will be my "great gig in the sky".

[@Cicen2]

Absolutely love the horns' brief melody after 59:09

[@luisnieto5214]

La presencia de Claudio Abbado. imposible no emocionarse. Cuánto lo echamos de menos.

[@stylusfantasticus]

I haven´t seen more musical educated listeners like this public in my life....and the performance is stunning.-

[@andrewrevell9099]

I love Mahler 6. Until this afternoon I thought I knew it; I didn’t know it at all. Thank you maestro Claudio, now I understand.

[@TristanDesnos]

I cannot tell you how many times I have watched and listened to this video! I liked the video ages ago, but thank you for posting! I’m addicted to this symphony and have no idea why

[@donaldmccormack7580]

I´ve listened to Mahler`s symphonies 1to 5 many times and thoroughly enjoy them. In my ignorance I thought this was the best of Mahler. Wow !! I´ve just been blown apart by The Sixth. Mahler was Godly inspired needless to say but it took Abbado´s magical touch , genius and humility to make this touch the stars. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us listeners see that there really is a new tomorrow on the horizon and that one day the pain we are currently going through will roll away and we´ll always have this incredible music. Thanks too for the supreme performance given by the Lucern Orchestra.

[@user-qh8bw7uq5t]

Your appreciation is beautiful.

[@AFSSSDF]

Listen the 9 Symphony.

[@ashleythorpe7933]

Wait for the 8th!

[@jeffreykalb8810]

The Andante moderato is probably my favorite 15 minutes of music.

[@giuseppemariaperego8937]

"Cosa sarebbe la Musica moderna senza Mahler?" ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Giuseppe

[@user-nl2jl5mn6n]

Never feel tired to listen this great piece!!!❤️

[@nenitapoblete5973]

MAGNÍFICO...BRILLANTÍSIMO EL GRAN MAHLER...!!!

[@AFSSSDF]

Difícil expressar o que a musica de Mahler provoca... Cada sinfonia dele é uma obra de arte, puro êxtase. Esse Andante é tão belo e profundo quanto os mais famosos.... Gênio é pouco para Mahler, e essas apresentações de Abbado no festival de Lucerna me parecem um registro definitivo dessas maravilhosas e incomparáveis obras. Só resta desfrutar (uma centena de vezes pelo menos) e agradecer o privilégio de ter acesso a elas assim.

[@biancagheti8327]

Is the best symphony i ever hear !! ❤❤

[@itarchitecture4all]

This symphony is so rich, so full of experiences. Just a pleasure

[@ajpdeschenes]

1:23:40 That man loved music!

[@falamimire]

The best version live.

[@illylotte2811]

wonderful! Abbado is living the music in every note.....

[@penelopem9166]

I started watching this just for the opening, but it's like a book that you can't put down, and somehow inevitable as though it was waiting for someone to write it. The first movement development section is a particularly fine piece of composition Imho. Great performance by the immortal Abbado.

[@christophernunn943]

Absolutely stunning performance

[@davidcrc9155]

What a great interpretation and performance! Abbado is very lyrical in this work, seeks out all shades of colours in the music and is not of the school that says speed is king. Wonderfully paced tempi. reminds me of a great predecessor of his, Barbrolli, who also managed to plumb the highs and lows of this work to great effect in live performances. Funny how Italians and those of Italian parentage seem to be so good in Mahler.

[@allwinds3786]

Claudio sure seems to be enjoying himself and the orchestra as much as I!

[@Lajos279]

+Steven Brady Yes, I totally agree. And how wonderful to see the concert master of 'his' Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra between the 1th violonists!

[@emilynightingale7758]

THIS IS AMAZING! I FREAKING LOVE MAHLER!

[@ammalbhatia3944]

These concerts were just the best

[@jazzporridge1506]

Find a video where Mr Abbado smiles, somewhat ironically, more than this one. I'll wait. I absolutely love the 4th movement of this piece. Gustav keeps dragging us up, off our knees. Thanks to everyone involved here. Sensational work.

[@angelalfonsorojasquiroz5936]

Sublime el adagio, gracias por este formidable interpretación.

[@giuseppemariaperego8937]

"Interpretazione nuova! Rivelatrice!" ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Giuseppe

[@samdajellybeenie14]

Mahler Hammer at 1:05:51.

[@trevorperkins4585]

+samdajellybeenie God's good work being done here. Thank you good sir. Also, the second hammer strike is at 1:10:30

[@MashedPotat0]

+Trevor Perkins +samdajellybeenie thank you gentlemen.

[@WhythehellDude]

Thanks for saving me an hour!!

[@zayuke]

thanks captain, came from 9gag just for the hammer.

[@budasmiths]

Did not come here for the hammer, but since you guys won't shit up about it, I stayed for said hammer and was not disappointed.

[@alexchristopher221]

Abbado's certainly among the top maestros when it comes to Mahler.

[@mikesteele1718]

As a percussionist, I do love the hammer, but I also love this entire work.

[@__-rk9yb]

u right

[@MaartenVHelden]

I know Berstein was a great admirer of Mahler and did some wonderful things with him with the (a.o.) Wiener Philharmoniker, but this put a big smile on my face. A true pleasure from beginning to end. Chapeau!

[@carlosgarciasaltillo3765]

A esto se le llama ser un DIRECTOR DE ORQUESTA, ,gracias, te extrañamos.

[@raymondsoneira2397]

The audiences are shocked by this fantastic show and forget to give applause！ Abbado cast the greatest Mahler symphony 5!

[@CynthiaAMartz]

Wow. Beautiful. I really enjoyed this.

[@Zappanofilo]

Una de las mejores del ciclo de Abbado con Lucerna. Magnifica

[@rosernabona9364]

Gustau Mahler , Symphony six a Lucerne Festuval Orcherstra and Claudio Abbado , it was very beautiful and inspiring ❤

[@thaigo972]

RIP Claudo Abbado

[@stephanfrank1253]

1:23:35 The moment a mastero finishes what he's been passionate about. And He is touched for what he has done.

[@stephanfrank1253]

I really love the silence that comes after the last minute of this symphony. Nothing makes me feel the aftertaste of the music more than this video.

[@benmartinez7118]

Incredible performance! Abbado sure deserves the credit. The ending is devastating and yet truelly emotive! The beauty of despair are expressed so beautifully. It is macabre to make such a statement but this is how one feels after listening to the symphony

[@ljiljanastanic9076]

Two Gods,Mahler and Abbado...sofisticated performance!!!

[@luciaferro991]

Anch'io penso così, Mahler e Abbado, carissimi fratelli del nostro tempo!

[@user-qh8bw7uq5t]

Bravo Mahler. Bravo Abbado.♡♡♡

[@katiewenta]

We found a link to QelloTV on iTV and the performance of the second movement immediately popped up. BUT, no info about the song, the orchestra or the conductor. My husband and I spent about an hour figuring it out (and yes, we used music listening apps that didn't recognize the piece, I think, because it was a live performance). Then we found this post. I've always enjoyed Mahler, but never heard this piece. The second movement is now, by far, one of my favorite pieces. And the performance of this conductor and orchestra, brilliant. I SO enjoyed it. Thanks so much for posting!

[@sotokar2147]

Even though I am having some problems with my tuning and intonation on the violin , listening to this great music makes me want to become an orchestral musician. I guess with practise I will become better day by day. It just needs patience. Anyone feels me?😅

[@marks1417]

But do it as a hobby. Playing rank and file violin in an orchestra is not a job you'd want to do for life

[@swittle]

Abbado is one with the piece and that sublime pairing becomes a spellbinding trio with the players of instruments.

[@benjaminj1996]

Ah that beautiful moment of silence at the end where people contemplate everything before they feel they need to clap...

[@91tkkn]

Best audience ever...

[@bgsmink]

great piece of music. great performance!

[@theingabo212]

Mahler would enjoy this Breathtakingly Beautiful performance from heaven.

[@user-sk4kd7ob2b]

Браво!!! Молчание перед аплодисментами-самая большая награда. Аплодисменты тоже выражение чувства благодарности, но молчание более значимо. Здесь мы видим и то и другое,как одно целое.Но я бы ещё помолчала. Спасибо ,Вам!

[@emilynightingale7758]

This was an amazing experience, thank you for this video, you have opened my eyes to Mahler. I don't think i have ever in my life heard such a glorious symphony. Music is such a wonderful thing isn't it?

[@julianbonskilzz]

Classic music is the best expression of feeling

[@dap4699]

@@julianbonskilzz I agree. For me it says more than any other form of music with lyrics incorporated. That's one of the reasons why I love it so much.

[@EminAnimE1]

Not sure if you've already done it, but since this seems to be your first Mahler experience I recommend symphonies number 2, 5, 8 and 9! (Even though they're all amazing!)

[@thomasley4006]

@@EminAnimE1 And treat yourself to a 10, Cooke version, too!

[@connorgallacher9239]

It truly is such a wonderful thing.

[@jeffwood9728]

Wonderful! And thank God Abbado gets the movements in the right order!

[@sherinkrederdt7642]

escuchar a Mahler es por la conducción excelente de C. Abbado.....danke Sherin Krederdt

[@1931JC]

I adore all Mahler, songs and all but this is sublime. Abbado was so fantastic. I have at least three of all the symphonies but this is magnificent. Ahh the Romance period just makes life really alive.

[@selmertrumpet4883]

What a performance ! Thanks for sharing.

[@igorkallyo1377]

Magnífico! Estupendo!

[@jonathanhunt6108]

Simply extraordinary.

[@bjones5189]

I love this symphony, have listened often, starting on LPs on a HI-FI single-speaker set.

[@EvanM_]

Loving the close mic'd recording. That celesta was right inside my skull.

[@wojtekmajerski3313]

The second part is brilliant - so poetic.

[@beng7716]

I think the finale of this symphony is straight out Mahler's best symphonic movement. Along with the finale of the 2nd.

[@christu8148]

I'm 26 years old and this is almost the first time I listen to this masterpiece whole-heartedly. I felt that Mahler wanted to tell some stories that happened to him, and to convey something deeply profound emotion. However, at this age I couldn't really get touched by this piece, through the melody, the tonality... I surely thought the second movement is very beautiful, but other movement I felt little about them. When the Finale went to the end, I knew something profound was inside there but also I knew there's a string deep in my heart didn't vibrate. I was depressed that I didn't feel nothing. I genuine hope someone could tell me maybe one or two stories that you think of after listen to this great piece. Thanks for your reading I know its sort of hard to understand my poor English comment.

[@minhanhtranthi2300]

You should watch "why listen to Mahler" from Inside the scores. I think video provides the stories you wanted. Hope this helps

[@composeratlarge]

I've been listening to Classical music since I was 17. Some composers just take more time than others to appreciate. Mahler is not easily accessible. His themes are dense and expansive, the development sections can be overwhelming in their complexity, and the orchestration is so massive and idiosyncratic that it might pound you with full bombast one moment, lull you into a semi-hypnotic state the next, and then invite you to strange, alien worlds which you have never ventured to in the middle. At last though, his expressive voice always breaks through the whirlwind of sound and timbre and you can hear radiant emotion that has no equal really. I'm still learning to listen to Mahler. It is a life's journey with great rewards at the end.

[@Balfour.]

@@composeratlarge perfectly put. Mahler ain't no Tchaikovsky, no Mozart, no Mendelssohn - composers who please everyone from the get go. This is highly demanding music, and let's be real, it can be either an abrasive and annoying experience you won't ever want to be near again from or nothing short of a great awakening. I've been listening to Mahler since I was a kid and just for instance I started to 'get' his Seventh just a couple of years ago, so I reckon there's so much work to do for an outsider.

[@user-qh8bw7uq5t]

It may be because you experience less sadness in life. Experience sadness and listen to it. What were the three tragedies of my life? I listened to the tragedy while remembering it. Tears flowed at the end. I also heard number 6 for the first time today. The last 3 hits ... It is said to have predicted three tragedies. (interpretation of wife Amal) When writing this song, Mahler had a happy time.

[@tomdip2094]

I think compared to many other Mahler symphonies this is a difficult one to understand. First you should try these, in order if you like. 4 is quite easy to understand, as are 8 and 2: 4,8,2,9,5. Listen to those symphonies and you should have a much better understanding of Mahler and how he approaches music.

[@user-hk4cf3wn8u]

This must surely be one of the hardest symphonies to 'get right'..! And I reckon there's much more to that than just practise! I'm sure the mood and relationships between conductor and players counts enormously: and of course the acoustic environment. That said: I guess this is a very symptomatic characteristic of all of Mahler's symphonies. Anyway: this sounds and looks fabulous. It's just a shame so many of these concerts were not recorded in higher definition et al. But what the heck: let's ust enjoy the ride and the marvellously spiritual gift of music. Stay well... Johnston Lowry

[@giuseppemariaperego8937]

"La Gioia!!!" ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 Giuseppe

[@millandefelix]

Que grande Claudio Abbado¡¡¡