We’re not alone in the studio today! We are happy to welcome Gabriella and Caitlynn on the pod today to talk about the performer’s perspective. We discuss how the Mahler class we are all taking is potentially affecting how they, as performers, approach his music. We go on some tangents that lead to some interesting questions! Join us for a wild ride as we dive into the performer’s brain!
Today on the pod we discuss how historians tend to categorize composers’ bodies of work, specifically as it relates to Beethoven and our good friend Mahler. The old standard is to organize them into three categories; Early, Middle, and Late. Is this a good standard to set? Does it work for every composer? How did we start down this path? These questions and more will be addressed today!
We have the great honor of having a guest on our pod today! We are joined by Katie, a budding musicologist currently studying at the University of Arizona. Today, Zach, Caroline, and Katie discuss society’s reception and reaction to Mahler both during his time and long after. There is discussion of Mahler’s music, conducting style, and public perception.
Also, in case you want to read through it, the article Caroline refers to is “Ein hypermoderner Dirigent”: Mahler and Anti-Semitism in “Fin-de-siècle” Vienna” by K. M. Knittel. Her apologies for not mentioning it in the pod. It’s Friday and brain function was running low.
Content Warning: This podcast does contain discussion of racism and anti-semitic quotes and content.
What would you want to talk about after a 6 hour bus ride that got you home at 2am?? Mahler of course! Join us as Zach and a mildly functioning Caroline discuss programatic vs absolute music in today’s episode. Which path does Mahler choose? Listen and see what we think!
Join us as Caroline and Zach jump into a question posed by a very special listener! How do we know if an interpretation of a piece is justifiable? What are the criteria needed to reach that justification? Caroline and Zach discuss how conductors, such as themselves, and Mahler go about justifying their interpretations of music. They discuss several ways to make a solid and defensible interpretation. There’s a method to the madness, we promise!
On this week’s episode of ‘Tea Time With Mahler’ Zach and Caroline continue their discussion of ‘interpretation’ with their own interpretation of Symphony №3. They dive into Mahler’s use of nature throughout the symphony, but especially so in movements 1 and 3. They discuss the anthropomorphic treatment of nature through Mahler’s perspective both in a personal sense and for humanity as a whole. We hope you enjoy episode 2!
A new podcast!
Enjoy two conducting nerds discuss the man, the myth, the legend, the Gustav Mahler over peppermint tea with honey! Today’s discussion is centered around Mahler’s Symphony №2, “Resurrection.” Using Symphony №2 as base camp, Zach and Caroline explore the extent to which a conductor can ‘interpret’ a piece of music. How strictly should one stick to the notes on the page or is there wiggle room to change something as concrete as tempos dictated by the composer? Mahler himself had little regard for sticking to what was one the page. Does that give us other conductors free rein to do what we please? We break down this idea and more in this week’s episode of “Tea Time with Mahler!”
