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Alma Mahler

'The experience was indescribable,' said Alma Mahler

The Eighth Symphony, which was dedicated to Alma Mahler, is basically a statement of Mahler's personal aspirations: a belief in the ability of the inspired spirit to lift mankind to the highest level of achievement through Love in all its aspects

In a letter to his close friend Willem Mengelberg, Gustav Mahler wrote: "Here I am immersed in many notes! I have just completed my Eighth. It is the greatest I have composed thus far. Imagine that the universe begins to sound and ring out. These no longer are human voices, rather planets and suns that are circling."

 

Mahler's Eighth Symphony premiered in Munich in 1910 with a most distinguished guest list in the audience. The opening concert was a symphony of massive proportions with eight soloists, 171 members of the orchestra and 850 choristers. It proved to be the greatest triumph of Mahler's life.

 

"The entire audience rose to their feet as soon as Mahler took his place at the conductor's desk. The breathless silence which followed was the most impressive homage an artist could be paid. Then he turned those tremendous volumes of sound into fountains of life. At the conclusion, the whole audience surged towards the platform. The experience was indescribable," quoted Alma Mahler, wife of the composer.

 

The Eighth Symphony, which was dedicated to Alma Mahler, is basically a statement of Mahler's personal aspirations: a belief in the ability of the inspired spirit to lift mankind to the highest level of achievement through Love in all its aspects.

 

Celebrated conductor Otto Klemperer had this to say:

"I confess that for the first time I understood the music of Mahler to tell myself: here is a great composer."

 

Mahler's Eighth Symphony with soloists, choir and orchestra of the Mariinsky Opera House, St. Petersburg under the direction of their Musical Director, Valery Gergiev, was the highlight of the recently held Red Sea Festival at the port of Eilat in February, 2009.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.31.09, 08:25
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