January 18, 2008
One hundred years ago, in January 1908, the composer Gustav Mahler made his American debut at Carnegie Hall. A year later, he was leading the New York Philharmonic, turning it into a world-class ensemble. But Mahler soon fell out of favor in New York, and died suddenly. Eric Molinsky looks into the rumors swirling around the composer’s New York years and the torment he endured.
What else can be said? Excellent!
Wish you would have a classical segment more often. Perhaps classical literature segment as well.
I can hope. Right?
the leadin to the program suggested that Mahler's death had to do with the rumors, but he did have cardiac problems much earlier and it was these problems that did him in.
I loved the segment on Gustav Mahler, in part because I am studying another composer whose government tried to "erase from history." Mykola Lysenko was oppressed by Tsarist Russia during his lifetime (1842-1912) and then the Soviet Union suppressed information about Lysenko until the fall of the iron curtain. Fortunately for history, a graduate of the Tchaikovsky conservatory in Kiev, now living in Pittsburgh and teaching piano, Taras Filenko, wrote a book to preserve his memory. We need more reports like his, and yours, to understand our history.
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