Mahler's Swan Song: Claudio Abbado Conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in Symphony No. 9 CD

UPC: 028947905615 

MPN: 002894790561 

Brand Name: Deutsche Grammophon

Overview: A Farewell to Life in Sound

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 9 in D major is widely regarded as one of the most profound and emotionally wrenching works in the symphonic repertoire, serving as the composer's final completed testament before his death. Written in the shadow of personal tragedy—the loss of his daughter and the diagnosis of a serious heart condition—this masterpiece is a deep meditation on mortality, love for the earth, and acceptance.

This acclaimed release features the legendary conductor Claudio Abbado leading the world-renowned Berliner Philharmoniker in a riveting live performance. Part of a special collection showcasing 50 key works of 20th-century music, this CD offers listeners a perfect introduction to a challenging yet deeply spiritual era of classical music. Experience the tender, nostalgic depths of the opening Andante comodo and the ultimate, dissolving peace of the final Adagio, a musical journey described by Alban Berg as expressing an "unheard-of love for this earth."

Product Features: Acclaimed Live Classical Recording

This album presents a canonical work of late Romantic and early 20th-century symphonic music in a highly praised modern recording.

• Artist: Berliner Philharmoniker (Orchestra) conducted by Claudio Abbado (Conductor)
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Genre/Style: Romantic / 20th Century Classical Symphony
• Format: Audio CD, Stereo (Part of a 50-Release Series)
• Total Runtime: Approx. 1 hour 21 minutes (Total track time: 1:19:05, plus Applause)
• Recording Date: September 1999 (Live Recording)
• Liner Notes: New notes by Nigel Simeone, providing historical context and analysis.
• Packaging: Jewel case in a die-cut textured cardboard slipcase (Based on typical DG re-issues of this catalog number).

Interesting Facts: Mahler's Legacy and the "Curse of the Ninth"

• The Composer’s Final Farewell: Mahler completed this symphony in 1909, but sadly passed away in 1911 and never lived to hear its premiere, which was given by his protégé, Bruno Walter, in 1912.
• Escaping the Jinx: Mahler was famously superstitious about the "Curse of the Ninth", a belief that a composer could not surpass writing nine symphonies (following the deaths of Beethoven and Schubert after their ninth). He tried to sidestep this fate by naming his prior work, Das Lied von der Erde, a "symphony in songs" rather than "Symphony No. 9."
• A Depiction of the Heartbeat: The very opening of the symphony, with its hesitant, syncopated rhythmic motif in the harp and cellos, has been interpreted by many, including Leonard Bernstein, as a musical depiction of Mahler's own irregular, failing heartbeat.
• The Critical Acclaim: This particular recording, led by Maestro Abbado, has been widely lauded by critics, receiving top honors such as the Gramophone Magazine Editor’s Choice in October 2002.
• Structural Innovation: The Ninth breaks classical tradition by featuring two colossal slow movements (Andante comodo and Adagio) framing two vibrant, yet often bitter, dance movements (Ländler and Rondo-Burleske), creating a profound slow-fast-fast-slow emotional trajectory.

Track Listing

Note on Runtime: The packaging lists a total time of 01:03 (63 minutes). This is a likely printing error, as the full work, per the track times above and standard practice for this performance, runs approximately 81 minutes.

Publishers

Recording/Phonographic Copyright $\mathbf{P}$: 2002 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin Record Label: Deutsche Grammophon (DG) Company: A Universal Music Company Catalogue Number: 479 056-1

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