While I have been a devoted Mahler fan for many years, I have not been able to penetrate the secrets of this work. On one hand, I enjoy the movements titled “Night Music”, but on the other hand I cannot seem to tie the whole thing into a cohesive whole.
Perhaps an outstanding conductor can help?
Mariss Jansons’ international reputation as a Mahler conductor is indisputable. During his tenure as chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Jansons did not record a full cycle of Mahler symphonies. With this recording that project is now complete.
Mahler himself led the Concertgebouw Orchestra in the Dutch premiere of the Seventh in October 1909. How must the audience in the Main Hall have reacted to this whimsical work with its night-time atmosphere and eerie sounds? Although this vast symphony, featuring a number of unconventional instruments like the mandolin and guitar, did not catch on right away, it would slowly but surely win the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
Here is the Mahler Symphony number 7, as performed by Mariss Jansons:
