Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony was one of two works he left complete but unperformed at his death in 1911.
Composer Biography
Mahler's early musical experiences were shaped by military bands and folk singers passing his father's inn in Iglau, a small town.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mahler dedicated the Rondo-Burleske movement of his Ninth Symphony 'To my brothers in Apollo' as a sarcastic jab at academics who criticized his compositional techniques.
Composer Biography
Due to the demands of opera conducting and administration, Mahler could only compose during the summer months in the Austrian countryside.
Recording & Production
The London Symphony Orchestra is the world's most recorded symphony orchestra and has appeared on major classical recordings and film soundtracks.
Compositional Technique
The first movement of Mahler's Ninth Symphony is dominated by a two-note falling figure, like a sigh, which later returns in the finale as Beethoven's 'Farewell' motif.
Performer Biography
Valery Gergiev, the conductor, is the founder and artistic director of several international festivals, including the Gergiev Rotterdam Festival and the Stars of the White Nights Festival in St Petersburg.
