The Mahler Hour - Mahler and Beethoven

The Mahler Hour
Hosted by Morten Solvik
Mahler and Beethoven
Program
· This month we mark Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthday on the 16th of December with a show dedicated to Mahler and the great composer from Bonn who made his home and career in his adopted city of Vienna.
· Mahler showed a lifelong reverence for Beethoven, who by the end of the 19th century had attained an iconic stature in the world of music and arts. Beyond his admiration, Mahler engaged with his idol as a conductor, as an arranger, and as a composer in his own right.
· I will be joined by Beethoven scholar, John Wilson, as we discuss these and other connections between the two masters. To take but one example: What motivated Mahler’s retouching of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony? What are the audible differences? And how did Mahler defend himself against the public outcry at this artistic intervention?
· We will explore, as well, Mahler on the podium and the influence of Beethoven on some of his own symphonies.
· Join us for this birthday celebration as we take a closer look at Mahler’s Beethoven!

[@ericleiter6179]

I've heard that Mahler re-orchestrated all the Beethoven symphonies, except the 4th...do you know if there is a specific reason for this? Did he not like to program it or even like it??? I can't imagine that is the case-it is a brilliant symphony...or is it possible that Beethoven found the perfect balance (in terms of orchestration) with his original published score of the 4th??? Any insight into this would be much welcomed and appreciated...love the show btw!!!

[@bernard716]

Magnificent world the Mahler's world, and the Mahler Hour's world ! And a better world..., a world where Morten would speak a bit more slowly for my poor french ears !... 😕😄❤

[@anthonymorris2276]

Mahler and Beethoven? Why not try Heavy Metal and Haydn? Or Punk Rock and Schubert? Or Country & Western and Mozart? Or Grunge and Bach? Or Disco and Tchaikovsky? Or, frankly, any other combination of the aesthetically displeasing with the artistic?

[@ericleiter6179]

So are you saying Mahler is the Country Punk loving Disco Metalhead in this comparison???

[@anthonymorris2276]

@@ericleiter6179 No. Not at all. I am merely contrasting the ephemerally popular mediocrity with the profound and sublime.

[@ericleiter6179]

@@anthonymorris2276 Well they are both popular and sublime IMHO