2019 Winter Lecture Series

Mahler's Symphonic world Part 2

8 Wednesday Evenings with Russell Steinberg, Ph.D.

January 16- March 6, 2019, 7:00-9:00PM
(Lectures in Encino, CA—address will be provided)

 
Complete Series: $480 Individual Evenings: $65

Pay by mail: Make check out to "Masterwork Journeys" and send to
Masterwork Journeys
4924 Balboa Blvd. #162
Encino, CA 91316

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8 WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

Gustav Mahler’s symphonies are among the most intoxicating and even addictive experiences in all classical music listening. Part of their emotional impact comes from the fact that they bridge the 19th and 20th centuries. They look backward with a sense of culmination and nostalgia for the Romantic era, but also look forward to the new sonic and structural implications of the modern era. Mahler discovered a way to take the immersive world of characters, symbols, and emotions in a Wagner opera and place it within the abstract sonic tapestry of the symphony orchestra.

In eight evenings together, we explore five of Mahler's symphonies from his early, middle, and late periods using piano examples, recordings, and your participation and discussion. This class is a sequel to last year’s session and will cover the remainder of Mahler’s symphonic works (except for Symphony No. 8). We begin with his third symphony (the nature symphony), then on to the heroic fifth symphony, the seventh symphony, his great sublime farewell The Song of the Earth (Das Lied von der Erde), concluding with his incomplete 10th symphony. Curiosity and enthusiasm is a must, but previous knowledge of music is not necessary to enjoy these evenings.

Week 1 January 16—Mahler Symphony No. 3
Mahler’s longest symphony—a nature symphony!
Movements 1-3

Week 2 January 23—Mahler Symphony No. 3
Movements 4-6

Week 3 January 30—Mahler Symphony No. 5
Mahler’s heroic symphony obsessed with Beethoven.
Includes the famous adagietto

Week 4 February 6—Mahler Symphony No. 7
Mahler’s least well-known symphony,
sometimes called the Song of the Night
Mvts 1-3

Responses from past lecture participants

Insightful yet understandable analysis of the musical structure of each piece with an infectious enthusiasm and excitement about the pure joy of beautiful music!
Barry and Wendy Feinberg

We were mesmerized by the insights you gave us about the program.
Carlos Carossino

The concert was wonderful but made more enjoyable after your talk. The fellow sitting next to me, who I never saw before, kept referring to your comments.
Howard Ader

I thoroughly enjoy your wonderful lectures.  They are educational, interactive and fun!  I also appreciate the genuine passion you express.
Sue Chen