Mahler withdrew the program for his First Symphony because he wanted his symphonies to be considered absolute music, not compared to Richard Strauss's 'Music poems'.
Composition History
Mahler's First Symphony, begun in Kassel in 1884, was first performed in Budapest in 1889.
Composer Biography
One of the Rückert Songs, 'Liebst du um Schönheit,' was an early love gift from Gustav Mahler to his wife, Alma, and was not originally conceived with the other songs.
Compositional Technique
The third movement of Mahler's First Symphony is an early example of his collage technique, beginning with a distorted quote from 'Brother Jacob' in the double bass.
Performer Biography
Christoph Eschenbach, the conductor, was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), and began his solo piano career after winning the Clara Haskil Competition in 1965.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mahler initially gave his First Symphony a program titled 'Titan, a musical poem in symphonic form,' inspired by Jean Paul Richter, but later withdrew it.
Compositional Technique
The 'trivial music' of 'heuriger music' and Viennese songs, introduced by a 'brass band' in the third movement, has been interpreted as Mahler's support for the lower classes.
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