Mahler: Symphony No. 6
Mahler: Symphony No. 6
110.00
1173 words
note by Chris Myers
Excerpt:
It has become customary to speak of Mahler’s Sixth as “hopeless” and “dark” (Walter Bruno’s words) or “nihilist” (Wilhelm Furtwängler’s description). It’s true that the piece ends tragically, but to view an entire work through the lens of its conclusion is to ignore the drama. Early audiences, familiar with Mahler’s previous symphonies, surely expected a similarly triumphant celebration of the human spirit. The heartbreaking downfall of the finale no doubt came as a shock, adding to its emotionally devastating impact.