Jurowski Conducts Mahler's Symphony No. 8

Featuring

Anne Schwanewilms
Sofia Fomina
Judith Howarth
Michaela Selinger
Patricia Bardon
Barry Banks

Stephen Gadd
Matthew Rose
Vladimir Jurowski
Tiffin Boys' Choir
Choir of Clare College Cambridge
London Symphony Chorus
London Philharmonic Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustav Mahler

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Mahler told Jean Sibelius that a symphony 'must be like the world, it must embrace everything,' a philosophy reflected in his Eighth Symphony.

Recording & Production

This recording was made live at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London.

Compositional Technique

Mahler's Eighth Symphony employs immense forces, including eight vocal soloists, expanded choirs, children's choir, huge orchestra, harmonium, offstage brass, organ, piano, celeste, mandolins, and harps.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Part Two of the symphony sets the closing scene of Goethe's verse drama Faust, Part II, focusing on the concept of the 'Ewig-Weibliche' or 'eternal feminine' as the creative urge.

Compositional Technique

The symphony's 'narrative vitality' and 'dramatic fire' are largely fueled by Mahler's use of a few striking motifs, such as the six-note figure derived from 'Veni, creator spiritus'.