Mahler Symphony No.8 CD Review

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, cond. Bernard Haitink.

Also known as "Symphony of a Thousand".

Is it possible to have too much Mahler in one's life?

This piece was written at a time where length was to be admired.

I sometimes think of Mahler as a guy who took hold of Beethoven's 9th symphony, and kept developing the blueprint.

His Symphony No. 8 certainly stretches the boundaries of what one might call a symphony.

A huge chorus, 8 soloists, etc. etc.

2 BIG movements, the first a hymn (Veni, Creator Spiritus) and the second the final scene from "Faust II" - ummm, so where, Gustav, is the symphony, honey?

Don't get me wrong - Mahler is a genius, particularly in terms of orchestration - in fact, in this area alone is there enough justification for this anomalous work which claims to be a symphony.

And Symphony No. 9 is sublime...

And if you are a Mahler do-or-die fan, this recording would be a hard one to beat - terrific clarity.

BUT, if you are new to late 20th century Viennese culture, start with Symphony No.1 - MUCH more straightforward (catchy tunes, too).

5/10 for the work, 9/10 for the interpretation.