The Mahler Album

Featuring

Candida Thompson
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
Gustav Mahler
Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

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Compositional Technique

Mahler's Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 is notably scored for only harp and strings, despite the full symphony requiring a large orchestra.

Performer Biography

Amsterdam Sinfonietta, founded in 1988, is known for its distinguished performances, innovative programming, and collaborations with renowned artists.

Composition History

Mahler's arrangement of Beethoven's String Quartet opus 95 for string orchestra premiered in 1899 and was met with mixed reactions, including loud boos, and Mahler never performed it again.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Gustav Mahler, in an 1899 open letter, defended his arrangement of Beethoven's String Quartet for string orchestra, stating his intention was to give the music more power in a large concert hall.

Performer Biography

Amsterdam Sinfonietta is an ensemble of 22 musicians led by Candida Thompson, who has been its artistic director and lead violinist since 2003.

Composition History

Mahler's Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 is believed to be a declaration of love to Alma Schindler, whom he later married, and was sent to her as a manuscript without a letter.

Composition History

Beethoven's String Quartet opus 95, titled 'Quartetto serioso', was considered too progressive for the public by Beethoven himself, who requested it only be performed for connoisseurs.