Mahler - 9th Symphony (piano solo)

[@marctomassanchez8944]

Words can't express how grateful I am for having all these transcriptions. The solutions you have found to certain eminently orchestral passages are simply brilliant. This is truly a gem for all Mahler enthusiasts.

[@aagrayeb]

Did no one imagine Mahler himself composing and playing his ninth on the piano? I did and it was very emotional.

[@composaboi]

Movement 1, Andante comodo; 0:00 Movement 2, Im Tempo eines gemächlichen Ländlers. Etwas täppisch und sehr derb; 29:30 Movement 3, Rondo-Burleske: Allegro assai. Sehr trotzig; 44:17 Movement 4, Adagio. Sehr langsam und noch zurückhaltend; 58:10

[@PieInTheSky9]

Thank you

[@PieInTheSky9]

If we could build a time machine and show this to Liszt, I think would have been absolutely delighted to hear and perform this if he had lived long enough to have heard this symphony! I think these piano transcriptions do Mahler as much justice as Liszt did with Beethoven's symphonies.

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

and somewhat more accessible than some of Liszt’s transcriptions of symphonic repertoire .

[@yl4521]

Mr Farrington, you will go down in history as the person who equaled the Liszt transcriptions of the Beethoven Symphonies!

[@droidean]

No other composer can bring me so easily to tears than Mahler. Something about the opening melodies of this symphony (and this arrangement/performance) tonight got me. Thank you.

[@muslit]

Thank you for this wonderful arrangement. When the harmonies are reduced to one instrument, it is much easier to appreciate Mahler's foray into bi-tonality and dissonant counterpoint, probably in part influenced by hearing Schoenberg's first chamber symphony (which also utilizes whole-tone harmony), and anticipating the dissonant counterpoint of Busoni, Weill, and Hindemith. And as in the Schoenberg, your arrangement also makes clear the thematic use of the whole tone scale in Mahler's 9th, so much different than that of the impressionists. From the falling major 2nd in the first movement, to the entire use of the whole tone scale in the 2nd and 3rd movements, and finally to the extended, drawn-out whole-tone palette of the 4th movement, all related to that falling major 2nd in the first. After listening to your arrangement of the 3rd movement, I wondered what the reaction might have been of those first listeners who heard Mahler hammer it out on the piano. The word 'modern' must have come to mind. And thanks to your arrangement, Mahler's unique mastery of counterpoint is clearly in evidence. Again, bravo for the entire enterprise!

[@Spyrine]

this is on a whole other level

[@Discrimination_is_not_a_right]

3:07 When you realize that sometimes, Mahler was writing jazz.

[@VaiosKoutroukas]

This transcription is beyond phenomenal! Great piece of work!

[@ryster2220]

My music history professor made a big fuss about this piece and when I heard it for the first time I was just as moved by how deeply it impacted me. No other piece has had such a lasting impact. I come back to it often. This piano arrangement is brilliant. The clarity of the harmony and chords is really brought out in this arrangement in a way that only a piano can. Bravo.

[@eddieandmaxie]

1:07:09 IS SUCH AN EPIC MOMENT HE SHOULD HAVE KEPT IT GOING (as a climax ya know?)

[@dfdhgtrss212]

If that was a climax it would completely change the meaning of the last movement. The sudden drop off to the gentle reprise of the trumpet melody of the first movement is more stunning that any loud climax.

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

It’s hat sudden change of emotional temperature which is so remarkable . What an outstanding transcription !

[@reecerivalland1528]

The mad man has only gone and done it again! The arrangement, the musicality, the performance! I'm sure that Mahler is sitting in heaven with the biggest smile! Well done to you sir! I can't wait to use these videos in an orchestration classroom!

[@dannybarrs]

Wonderful demonstration of why Mahler was a genuinely modern composer.

[@EminAnimE1]

Wow!

[@nicholasadams1283]

Just heard orchestral version at La Scala, Milan. A wonderful way to relive the experience.

[@Klangtraeume]

Mahler is my favorite composer since 1973. You made one of my dreams becoming true - a piano transkription of the 9th symphonie. And what a perfect interpretation, it must be extremely difficult to play. Thank you so much for this!

[@1964ALCOZER]

Grazie per questo immenso dono che Lei sta facendo all'umanità

[@porcinet1968]

this is sometimes more expressive than most orchestral performances one hears. your timing in the first and last movements is exquisite. i think it ought to be conducted this way.

[@rodrigoantoniosilva7]

Absolutely outstanding job! The way you arranged the arpejos to achieve the density and deepness of the orchestration in 4th movement was absolutely brilliant!!!

[@rupertaustin]

Congratulations on a herculean task transcribing and performing all these Mahler symphonies. I find these piano scores particularly useful for studying Mahler's harmonic language without having to dig through the full orchestral scores. I have recently developed a fascination with a late romantic piece from the same period: Die Seejungfrau by Zemlinsky. When you next fancy a big piano transcription task might I suggest that would be an interesting and challenging one to work on.

[@porcinet1968]

in the first movement bars 231 to 239 make far more rhythmic sense than in most orchestral performances - the 32nd note figure at the end of 234 makes such a difference when played this way - in many orchestral performances it is all a bit of frenzied blur whereas I think Mahler is by this stage fundamentally a composer of rhythmically articulated linear counterpoint - so very few orchestral performances of this movement's climaxes make the counterpoint clear (Abbado is one of the best, along with Chailly at this)

[@DanielKRui]

Wow, yes, the clarity I hear here!

[@OmgEinWahnsinniger]

Im speechless.

[@ukdavepianoman]

This is an extraordinary transcription and briliantly played. The last movement just blows me away every time and seeing the harmonies written out for piano makes me appreciate just how chromatic they are, pushing the tonal boundaries to the extreme; I even "heard" bits of Scriabin and Schoenberg. The chord at 1:03:57 I've always loved - it's so ethereal and romantic.

[@albertwong1031]

You deserves more attention sir, you had transcribe all the little details that should be heard in the orchestrated version, it's as if Mahler had done it himself.

[@sama.4471]

You are absolutely crazy for doing this... in the most amazing way possible! This is incredible

[@porcinet1968]

absolutely wonderful, the last movement in particular is just as expressive as the original orchestral work. it's really beautifully played too. i really love this. i wish my late mother could hear this, it was her favorite piece of music

[@thejazzfan8311]

That is excellent! We are so blessed with your contributions. I am a Mahler fan and a piano enthusiast, so this is heaven! Thank you for all of this. 1 00:00 Andante comodo 2 29:28 Im Tempo eines gemächlichen Ländlers 3 44:18 Rondo - Burleske 4 58:12 Adagio

[@thakill100]

Simply incredible, i bought it as soon as i heard the first few measures. Thank you so much!!

[@aparacity9676]

I own this transcription, and it is a miracle. Great playing and thanks for your work!

[@karim6769]

THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH

[@SCRIABINIST]

Absolutely crazy!

[@raymondcheng8973]

Sublime...and how the sustained notes are handled!

[@yl4521]

II 32:03 b91* 32:41 b123*. 35:49 b261*. 38:26 b369. 39:28 b405. 39:50 b423. 40:30 b464. 40:50 b486*

[@gaku1256]

I was looking forward to it very nice😂

[@macmadnes5262]

Absolutely brilliant. You’ve caught every nuance just as it would be in the orchestra, and managed to fill the sound texture while still keeping the all idiomatically written for piano. Thank you so much and bravo. I know u don’t plan on doing the 8th, but is Song of the Earth a possibility?

[@yl4521]

0:35. 1:30* t 2:10 3:18* t 3:52. 26:30

[@kasten42]

Thank you so much Iain. Wonderful work as always! I especially appreciate your treatment of the 4th movement--the lush arpeggiated texture works so well. So many great moments, but the bit from 18:45 onward is something else...

[@ddf72778]

6:50 33:06 33:44 39:50 40:30 54:13

[@pianos1]

Wow! A fantastic arrangement of this mighty symphony!

[@plekkchand]

What a gift this is, and how well performed!

[@wernereichhorst5023]

Mahler 9, in particular the ending, is one of my favourite pieces, I was looking for a piano version and found yours, what a great start into the New Year! best wishes from Germany!

[@thelandwherethebongtreegro5988]

Bravo!!!! Another all encompassing orchestral transcription!

[@swinger9374]

I have waited for this video for so long on your channel. Thank you so much for these lovely arrangements. Gonna practice them one day.

[@EASYTIGER10]

As I've said elsewhere Iain, I'm blown away by your transcriptions but wanted to ask something. I've noticed how you will sometimes repeat a note on the piano where you get an extended note, usually in the strings. The opening of the Adagio Finale is a good example. 58:12 You repeat the sustained A flat and C flat in a way that doesn't exist in Mahler's score. I understand why - the piano inevitably fades and is close to silent by the end of the note. But I'm not sure if the repeating doesn't sometimes intrude. I'd be interested to hear how it sounds if you just let the note fade naturally rather than repeat it. These transcriptions - both in creating and performing - are an amazing achievement

[@iainfarrington]

Thanks for the query. The Adagio is one of the most difficult movements to translate into piano terms, especially the opening. If it is played with just the notes from the original score then I find it sounds weak and passive. This music has such emotional intensity that my aim is to replicate that in piano terms, suitable to the instrument. In the end, it's a personal response to this music which I love, and my own interpretation of it as an arranger/performer.

[@synthifou5815]

Your work is phenomal… Thank you so much, I have the feeling to rediscover Mahler’s symphonies again

[@iainfarrington]

Yes, definitely the 10th and parts of the 2nd. No Bruckner though!

[@nicosiv]

You're very talented to be able to do this, both arrange and perform. What a wonderful way for you to become intimate with Mahler's music. Wish I were as gifted.

[@serenosasso3189]

Great work!!! Bravo!!!! Bravissimo!!!!!

[@oscaralvarezdelacuadra8161]

Superb! It left me speechless. How could I get your magnificent arrangement, Sir? Best from Mexico.

[@iainfarrington]

Thanks! It's available here: www.ariaeditions.org/store/p421/Mahler_-_Symphony_No._9_%28piano_solo%29%3A_PDF_download.html

[@Maximilian2808]

45:27 i love this bass :D

[@allwinds3786]

Wow, impressive! That said some pieces don't lend themselves to transcribing. The Rondo seems to work.

[@bartsanders1553]

I have begrudgingly come to this conclusion as well. It does, however, make the the triumphs of successful transcriptions that much sweeter.

[@agustinxddd]

[@davidhume3874]

Thank you!

[@DanielKRui]

Why does that low Bb and then low Db @13:46-13:49 sound so good?!

[@Felix73able]

Magnificent. Really really beautiful

[@johanlenox]

this is incredible

[@willsherlock9544]

thank you for making and performing all of these

[@hiart74]

Bravo!!!

[@fernandobnoliveira]

Que maravilha, Sr. Iain!!!

[@myeonoogi]

bravo bravo!!! wonderful work iain!

[@cpt1195]

new work! i missed you 😂

[@tchaffman]

Love all these transcriptions, curious why we didn't get number 8?

[@iainfarrington]

The 8th is essentially a vocal piece, needing lots of singers to make sense. It wouldn't work for solo piano, and also I don't have all those singers!

[@yl4521]

1:18:15 onwards is too easy for children, but too difficult for masters 😢

[@GUILLOM]

:D

[@ИгорьСазонов-т9л]

Ура😁😅😘😚😆😗😘😉🙃🙂😄😁😆😀😇

[@Mr-Prasguerman]

E a oitava ?

[@iainfarrington]

No, I'm not doing anything with the 8th. It needs lots of singers, which I don't have!

[@milye7163]

35:45

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Needs more viola. lol

[@Mr-Prasguerman]

Faz das canções dele também

[@milye7163]

39:30