OSHER 787 - Mahler: Symphonies 5, 6, 7, 8, Das Lied Von der Erde and no. 9*

Gustav Mahler's symphonies grew out of his early song cycles. After he had successfully written eight symphonies, he hesitated to write a ninth, because of a superstition known as "the curse of the Ninth Symphony". Therefore, he didn't title the work "Symphony #9" but "Das Lied Von der Erde" (The Song of the Earth"). Explore love, tragedy, and foreboding in the music and life of Gustav Mahler from the Adagietto of the 5th Symphony to themes of farewell in the 9th. Gain an understanding of Mahler's background and symphonic style to facilitate a richer experience for the upcoming Utah Symphony performance of Mahler Symphony Cycle.