The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD)

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Anyone fascinated but daunted by Mahler's monumental, complex orchestral works will find this book a welcome guide. Focusing on the nine completed symphonies and The Song of the Earth, David Hurwitz addresses his readers directly in an informal, conversational tone. Aided by a CD of four selected movements, he tells them what to listen for, what to pay special attention to, and, pointing out some recurring characteristics, what to remember for future reference. He explains Mahler's concept of form and structure, from the smallest motives to the over-life-size finished edifice. He discusses Mahler's manifold use of his songs, his love for quoting from himself and for recalling and anticipating thematic material--always in a new guise--and his penchant for aborted climaxes and deceptive endings: part of his reluctance (or inability) to conclude a composition. Despite his originality, Mahler stood on the shoulders of other giants, notably Wagner and Verdi, whose works he conducted at the Vienna Opera. Hurwitz devotes much attention--and an entire appendix--to Mahler's unsurpassed mastery of orchestration, his skill in exploiting every instrument's resources, even using them for thematic purposes.

Hurwitz admits that describing music in words has limitations; he falls back instead on describing Mahler's complex mixture of elements from the most sublime to the raw (for example, we find the music characterized as pretty," "cute," "sleazy," "sexy," "vulgar," "flatulent," or "squealing" like a barmaid "after being pinched on the behind" and the like). On the other hand, he rejects the conventional assumption that there is a link between a composer's work and life experiences, isolating the music from the personality. This might be considered a drawback insofar as it neglects a crucial dimension (consider, for example, our knowledge that Mahler tried to outwit fate by interpolating The Song of the Earth between his Eighth and Ninth Symphonies and how this might enhance our understanding of those two dark, valedictory final works). Yet even such cavils cannot diminish the originality and thoughtfulness behind this illuminating book. --Edith Eisler

Book Description

Since Gustav Mahler was rediscovered in the early 1960s, his symphonies have become arguably the most popular works in the modern orchestral repertoire. Mahler's Symphonies: An Owner's Manual is the first discussion of the ten completed symphonies (No. 1-9 plus "The Song of the Earth") to offer music lovers and record collectors a comprehensive overview of the music itself, what it sounds like, how it is organized, its form, content, and meaning, as it strikes today's listeners. The book caters to the novice as David Hurwitz describes what the listener will hear, section by section, using simple cues such as important instrumental solos, recognizable tunes, climaxes, and other easily audible musical facts. He explains how each work is arranged, how the various parts relate to each other, and how one work leads to the next. It describes the emotional extravagance that lies at the root of Mahler's popularity, the consistency of his symphonic thinking, the relationship of each work to its companions, and his dazzling and revolutionary use of orchestral instruments to create an expressive musical language that is varied in content and immediate in impact. The accompanying CD contains recordings from Symphony No. 1, Third Movement; Symphony No. 2, First Movement; Symphony No. 5, Third Movement; and Symphony No. 7, Second Movement: "Nachtmusik I."

Customer Reviews:

An intro to Mahler.......2007-09-13

Good book, only gripe is that the author goes into too much detail describing the music itself (for example telling what instruments are doing what) I think what I am looking for is more of an analysis of the symphonies. Hope this helps

An Excellent Listener's Guide.......2006-10-23

David Hurwitz has written a marvelous guide for the classical music listener who wants to get more out of Mahler's symphonies but: a) lacks the ability to follow the music him/herself, or make sense of it; and b) finds that CD and program notes do not provide sufficiently detailed description, or are too technical to be understandable. The author provides lengthy but non-technical descriptions of the music as it progresses, keeping the listener on track and ready for what comes next. Major melodies or tunes are identified by ad hoc names (the "kletzmer," the "Alma," etc.). Major rhythms are identified for the reader-listener in the most basic terms (i.e. "dum dum dadum dum"), but it works! Hurwitz eschews biographical background in favor of discussion of the form and content of the music itself. Even if the author fails to convert you to a Mahlerian (and he certainly seems to be one himself), his book will deepen your appreciation for this formerly "much abused" composer.

My complaints are few. In his enthusiasm the author has a tendency to confuse the words "literal" and "figurative" such that, at one point in the book he describes the orchestra as "literally falling over a cliff" or words to that effect; which, for the sake of the musicians' health and casualty insurance premiums I hope did not happen. I wish that discussions of form and interpretations of meaning had been reserved for the front of each chapter, directly following the introduction, so the chronological description of the music had not been interrupted. Strangely, the author, who is not bashful about expressing his opinions, seems surprisingly hesitant to divulge his extra-musical interpretations of the music. Finally, Hurwitz is a most uncritical critic, defending Mahler from every criticism, even those that, to my ears, are justifiable.

In addition to the book the purchaser receives a CD with one-movement excerpts from four Mahler symphonies (#'s 1, 2, 5 and 7). The guides to these four movements contain exact time references to these CD performances for greater ease in following along.

Buyer beware: you'll find you'll want to acquire CD's of Mahler symphonies you don't presently own (I bought #'s 6 and 7), or purchase other versions if yours don't reveal all the twitters, birdcalls, or cowbells itemized in the book.

Highly recommended.

This is simply a great book for all Mahler fans out here..........2006-05-26

... and hopefully Mr. Hurwitz's words strenghen the fact that Mahler is one of the greatest composers of all time (and he is my top favorite composer) - not just through vastness and complexity, but also through "representing the world", being universal, escorting humanity through music like Beethoven.

Just reading certain passages which seems to coincide what I exactly thing about Mahler's remarkable musical messages (especially in the triumphant Symphony No. 2 and the apocalyptic Symphony No. 9) put me to tears.

Whether you're obsessed with Mahler, or want to understand his musical words, buy it!!!

introduction to Mahler's major symphonic works.......2005-03-01

Hurwitz breaks down Mahler's nine symphonies plus his song cycle "The Song of the Earth" into their parts as these contribute to the whole; and the parts too are broken down for their development, tone, and instruments. Analyses and commentary mingle with frequent metaphoric, near-poetic, evocations of musical passages. In the Fifth Movement of Symphony No. 5, "Horn and woodwinds unfold a series of perky little tunes...." In the Second Movement, "As this climax dies away trailing clouds of strings and horns, the woodwinds slither back in with sinister whirring scales." Hurwitz also gives attention to the spiritual ideas and the emotions embodied in Mahler's music. The author of "Beethoven or Bust: A Practical Guide to Learning About and Listening to Great Music," Hurwitz writes about music in a style that is suitable for readers of all ages from young adults and up.

Dictionary of Spanish Slang (Dictionaries of Foreign Slang)

Average customer rating:

good job
Very useful learning tool in a user friendly format.

Dictionary of Spanish Slang (Dictionaries of Foreign Slang)
Michael Mahler
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764106198

Book Description

Travelers with intermediate-level knowledge of Spanish, and language students on intermediate and advanced levels will value this book as a key to getting past the slang barrier and grasping Spanish and its idioms as people actually speak the language. More than 4,000 words or colloquial expressions seldom found in standard bilingual dictionaries are listed alphabetically and defined. A phrase or short sentence is presented in Spanish to give readers a sense of the word or expression as it is used in various contexts, and is followed with an English translation. Because of the nature of the subject matter, books in this series necessarily contain expressions that some readers will find offensive.

Customer Reviews:

good job.......2005-09-14

i found this book to be quite helpful and the seller was very speedy and cooperative

Very useful learning tool in a user friendly format........2002-02-13

This dictionary of Spanish slang and colloquial expressions is a very complete learing tool organized in a user friendly format. Like all dictionaries the expressions are in alphabetical order and also the country or region of frequent usage is indicated along with how to use the expression in a sentence. This dictionary would be useful for all Spanish speakers at all levels due to the diversity of the Spanish language. There is definitely a variety of expressions which one may have heard in colloquial speech but unsure of the meaning or the dictionary can be used to learn expressions and to broaden everyday speech. I recommend this dictionary to anyone who wishes to expand their colloquial and everyday vocabulary in Spanish.

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Dover Score of Mahler 5th and 6th Symphonies
Dover can do better
Wonderful Mahler 5 and 6
Fine Score, if you know the mistakes
Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 in Full Score by Gustav Mahler

Symphonies Nos. 5 and 6 in Full Score
Gustav Mahler
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486268888

Book Description

In these two works, Mahler moved beyond his song-oriented earlier works to take up the challenges of the purely instrumental symphony. The result was two of his most emotionally compelling, most often performed symphonic works. Both are reprinted here from authoritative full-score editions.

Customer Reviews:

Dover Score of Mahler 5th and 6th Symphonies.......2006-03-21

It is ok to buy this, if you don't have to conduct it. For listening and "just" studying it's ok, but it has so different orchestration in some places, errors and stuff like that that if you make a mistake going in front of an orchestra with it, you're in trouble.
Better buy Universal Edition (or try to get some library score), if you are seriously interested.
Of course the real edition price is probably 5 times bigger but in conductor's wages it doesn't matter, doesn't it :) ?
Of the music: both symphonies are great masterpieces, the Adagietto from 5th is heavenly...

Dover can do better.......2002-07-15

Although the fifth seems more accurate, the Sixth has so many errors that some times I just get lost. However in dover's defense I haven't found a Mahler score that hasn't left something out. An okay buy for the price range, but could be better

Wonderful Mahler 5 and 6.......2002-02-06

Probably my favorite Mahler Symphony, his Symphony No. 5 was the first I ever saw performed. It's a fantastic work and, unlike his "Tragic" Symphony No. 6, the tragedy from the opening Funeral March is reconciled by the exhuberent and boistrous finale. The very last section of the fourth movement to the end has a triumphant feel (and even sound and structure) reminiscent to Tschaikowsky's Symphonic finales. The Tragic 6th is a great piece to study, but, for me, can be very weary as the symphony does not more then briefly rise above meloncholy.

A great large score, the print is very readable and there a few translations for the German text (though, having a completely German version of the score, there are several instructions that have been left out). It lies flat on the desk or music stand, which is a great plus. Lastly, it's inexpensive, which makes it a must for Music students and I highly reccommend it to professionals and listeners alike.

Fine Score, if you know the mistakes.......2001-12-26

Being a Mahler lover, composer, timpanist, and conductor, I constantly pour through recordings and scores of his works. This edition, while a fine orchestral score, is full of errors which Mahler later corrected. While the musical ideas and feeling of the works here are present, there are some details which differ from newer editions. Do not be fooled; every note these scores contain are Mahlers own. But these are first-edition, first performance scores. Mahler was notorious--conductor that he was--for editing and revising his works after premieres. I have looked at other scores, later, more difinitive scores, which show errors, and some are quite audiable in recordings. But for any young conductor to get a flavor for the structure of these works, the Dover edition is the most practical and cost effective score to buy.

Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 in Full Score by Gustav Mahler.......2001-04-16

Any music fan of Mahler, should get this excellent Full Score of his 5th and 6th Symphonies. It has a great little German to English Dictionary in the front of the book and explains what the terms in the score that Mahler wrote in German. I highly suggest this book to any Mahler fan, to any classical music listener, student, or conductor!!!

It's a Chick Thing: Celebrating the Wild Side of Women's Friendship

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A fun but tame book
i laughed out loud!
Loved It
It's a Chick Thing
Buy two & give one to a friend

It's a Chick Thing: Celebrating the Wild Side of Women's Friendship
Jill Conner Browne
Manufacturer: Conari Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1573241962

Book Description

A fabulously fun collection of spirited stories, scintillating sidebars, and oh-so-quotable quips, It's a Chick Thing pays homage to the special and unique times that strengthen the bonds of female friendships---the antics, escapades, and thrill seeking---as well as the loyalty, sisterly support, and irrepressible humor.

Read about Dolly Parton's "biker chick" escapades with her girlfriend gang, Hell's Belles; Diana and Fergie's hilarious night on the town during Prince Andrew's bachelor party; and the time Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn faced down the Coal Miner's Daughter's detractors. Meet women like Cirque du Chien, a pack of party-loving Francophiles who dress up like French poodles; La Bella Mafia, self-proclaimed divas who right wrongs and overdress for every occasion; and a bevy of sisters and friends who take over the backyard playhouse for parties and girl talk. Full of irreverent fun, candid observations, and shameless merrymaking, It's a Chick Thing is the perfect gift for each and every one of your best gal pals. Chickcentric lists include "Chicks Who Rock," "Chick Reads," "Chick Flicks," and "Chick Cliques." "Wonderful - a must read for all women of substance!" - Jill Conner Browne, author of The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love"Smart. Sassy. Tons of Fun. It's a Chick Thing is my new best friend," says Cameron Tuttle, author of The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road.

Customer Reviews:

A fun but tame book.......2005-08-26

This book is a fun read but the stories are fairly tame.
There were a few really touching or funny stories (I loved the "cheeky chicks" chapter.) but I have done much wilder things with my friends.

i laughed out loud!.......2004-04-30

I loved this book! It was funny, witty and reminded me of all of my girlfriends! Can't wait for the new one!!!!

Loved It.......2004-04-16

I laughed, smiled and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I hope there's many more "Chick" books to come!

It's a Chick Thing.......2004-04-13

My family enjoyed this book and hope there are more to come.

Buy two & give one to a friend.......2004-04-13

Based on Wendy Block's review, I'd guess that she hasn't had a date since some dweeb stood her up at her High School Prom. Get a life honey! This is a book that's lots of fun -- and I'm not even a chick (I borrowed my wife's copy).

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Perspectives on Gustav Mahler

Manufacturer: Ashgate Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0754607097

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A Terrific Accompaniment While Listening to Mahler
Symphony No. 7
Mahlers finest musical hallucination

Symphony No. 7 In Full Score
Gustav Mahler
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486273393

Book Description

One of the composer's most popular, accessible works, the 7th has neither a "program" or folk-song theme. It is a purely instrumental composition, both hopeful and romantic in feeling. Reprinted from the authoritative German edition of 1909. List of instruments. Glossary of German terms.

Customer Reviews:

A Terrific Accompaniment While Listening to Mahler.......2006-11-10

If you love Mahler, this 7th Symphony score is a remarkable addition to your collection. I began some years ago collecting all the Mahler symphonies on CD performed by various orchestras around the world, and when I discovered that scores were available, I just had to have them, too. For those who may be new to Mahler, I recommend starting with either his Symphony #5 (the 1990 recording with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic is my favorite) or his Symphony #1 (also 1990 and with Leonard Bernstein, but with the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam) - both are marvelous. To heighten your enjoyment of Mahler, for each Symphony you get on CD, get the score as well. Sometimes I'll even play along on my clarinet. . . .

Symphony No. 7.......2001-08-03

I think this Symphony is Mahler's 3rd Best Symphony he ever did. This edition of the work, has everything that is played. I am a young to be conductor, and I analyized it already. I totally disagree with the viewer that says that this edition isnt the best. Well, it is the best.

Mahlers finest musical hallucination.......1999-11-20

A reprint of the original Austrian score at a fraction of the price. This least-known of Mahler's works may indeed be his best. A most unorthodox use of symphonic form takes the listener from dark to light, from terror to joy; this work spans all the emotions. Unusual instrumentation, like the tenor horn, mandolin, and guitar add to the bizzare but delightful concoction. It's a tie with Sym. # 4 for my Mahler favorite.

Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 in Full Score (Dover Orchestral Scores)

Average customer rating:

Wanted to give a five, but...
Mahler at his best!

Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 in Full Score (Dover Orchestral Scores)
Gustav Mahler
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486254739

Book Description

Handsome, inexpensive volume reproduces authoritative Austrian editions of the Symphony No. 1 in D Major ("Titan") and Symphony No. 2 in C Minor ("Resurrection"). Beautifully printed unabridged scores reveal vivid orchestration, innovative symphonic structure, rich emotional expression, foreshadowing of 20th-century musical ideas.

Customer Reviews:

Wanted to give a five, but..........2002-01-24

Among the things I look for in a score is the readability of the music itself. The larger the better, though smaller print is acceptable in most classical and earlier pieces and a few Romantic pieces. Not so in Mahler's gigantic symphonies. I feel that the score should be the full size of some of scores of his later symphonies (Dover). There were times where I had to squint or look twice to see the score properly.

That is my only problem with the score. These are two wonderful works and, unlike other composers, Mahler isn't beginning but nearing the peak of his symphonic powers with these "early" works.
This is score is wonderful for music lovers and students alike for it's accessibility and low price.

Mahler at his best!.......2000-04-04

The early symphonies of Gustav Mahler show the heavy influence of the works of Richard Wagner. The pastorale first movement of the Symphony No.1 in D Major, the Titan, is particularly noteworthy in the way Mahler paints with music. The movement slowly builds to a thunderous climax when the brass enter with resplendent glory. This is followed by two movements that are reminiscient of folk melodies--including the inverted, minor-mode theme from Frère Jacques. It is concluded with a thunderous finale. The second symphony in c minor continues a powerful motif that now adds the power of the human voice. The thunderous finale of this symphony brings together a massive orchestra with chorus. Imagine 10 French horns, 8 trumpets, 4 trombones and a tuba proclaiming a glorius finish. Definitely a wonderful buy!

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (Cambridge Music Handbooks)

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Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (Cambridge Music Handbooks)
Peter Franklin
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Mahler's Third Symphony was conceived as a musical picture of the natural world. This handbook describes the composition of Mahler's grandiose piece of philosophical program music in the context of the ideas that inspired it and the artistic debates and social conflicts that it reflects. In this original and wide-ranging account, Peter Franklin takes the Third Symphony as a representative modern European symphony of its period and evaluates the work as both the culmination of Mahler's early symphonic style and a work whose contradictory effects mirror the complexity of contemporary social and musical manners. The music is described in detail, movement by movement, with chapters on the genesis, early performance, and subsequent reception of the work.

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Accessible Mahler

Das Lied von der Erde in Full Score
Gustav Mahler
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 048625657X

Book Description

The great Austrian composer's most highly regarded work, a fusion of song and symphony epitomizing both his genius and the very spirit of late Romanticism. Reprinted from the original Viennese edition published in 1912 by Universal Edition, with English translations of song texts. Table of contents.

Customer Reviews:

Accessible Mahler.......2000-07-14

Das Lied von der Erde typifies Mahler's genius; a genius for transposing the Wagnerian/Jungian preoccupation with mankind's myths from the Operatic stage to Symphony hall. Taken from a series of Chinese poetic meditations on man's relationship to the earth, Das Lied von der Erde is a deeply contemplative work for a large orchestra and three singers: a Soprano, a Tenor, and a Baritone. Like most Dover scores, Das Lied von der Erde is a treasure. Reprinted from an original edition, it includes a translation of all frontismatter from that edition, as well as a small glossary of German musical terms used in the score. The paper is acid free, and the binding is high quality, so this thing is going to last for a while. Also, the book itself and the printing are large enough that, contrary to complaints I've heard regarding other Dover Mahler scores, you could conduct from it. Finally, all Dover scores are so moderately priced that any devoted Mahler fan simply will not be able to resist this Das Lied von der Erde.

Average customer rating:

Top Class publication
Excellent price and value... but wanted to clarify...
Wonderful Mahler 3 and 4
Great Symphonies

Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 in Full Score
Gustav Mahler
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486261662

Book Description

Two brilliantly contrasting masterworks — one scored for a massive ensemble of full orchestra, two choruses and soloist, the other for small orchestra and soloist, the latter also marking Mahler's move into the contrapuntal style of all his later works. Reprinted from authoritative Viennese editions with new translations of texts.

Customer Reviews:

Top Class publication.......2006-08-19

When it comes to musical scores, let's face it, there's not much of a difference between one and another. All the notes must be printed or you're not getting what can properly be called a musical score. But when it comes to Orchestral scores, there is a difference. Here we have each and every instrument's part printed (at least when they can be heard playing) so as we can follow the intricacies of, say, the clarinet part.
Mahler is a totally different case altogether - a composer in a class of his own. Many orchestral scores of Mahler's symphonies give the very least notation possible. This score of Symphonies 3 & 4 in the Dover Orchestral Scores series however, is a top class publication. Why?
Well, Mahler is in a class of his own because when it came to giving directions to his orchestra he did not stop at the Classical Italian markings for Tempo and expression, although strictly speaking this is all that is necessary for a composer to communicate his wishes to the players. Mahler went much further and gave quite specific instructions in German to both the orchestral players and the conductor. For example, directions to the Horn players to hold the bell of the instrument up in the air, explain to the listener why the horns sound different in these passages; advice given to Timpanists as to what kind of sticks to use at certain times explain the different effects we hear. Then there are instructions to solo players, for example, not to pay too much attention to the rest of the orchestra, but to play their part in a slightly slower manner thus exaggerating the importance of their solo. Dover Orchestral Scores do us the great service of actually printing all these instructions, just as in the original score i.e. in German. But their thoughtfulness reaches right on to printing a Glossary of the terms used as well as the texts written or used by Mahler in the symphonies.
This makes using Dover's scores a real pleasure and we really can hear if the recording we are listening to actually plays the music the way Mahler would have wanted. I can think of no better way of rating our recordings ourselves and not just taking the conductor's or the Studio's word for it.

Excellent price and value... but wanted to clarify..........2004-08-08

Someone mentioned how invaluable it is to own the score because you can refer to it when you read an article, or review, or liner notes that make references to a measure number.

Well, this book is useful only if you number the measures yourself with a pencil (which would take a very long time), since the book actually does NOT supply measure numbers. It supplies a number of figures... (for instance, if i remember correctly, Symphony No. 3's 1st movement has 76 figures). But each figure can be any number of measures, so when you read an article that makes reference to measure 435, you simply won't be able to find it, without actually numbering the measures yourself.

Otherwise, it is a very good book. Dover has managed to bring complete scores of great works to the average budget-conscious consumer, and this is truly an excellent book that covers two amazing symphonies. You are bound to learn a lot about orchestration just from studying these. I am particularly fond of studying the brass sections in the first movement of the 3rd Symphony... Truly phenomenal composition!

Wonderful Mahler 3 and 4.......2002-02-06

This is a must for those wishing to study and understand Mahler's Immense third symphony. The print is very large and readable. Though I wish there were more translations for the German text, there is enough in the parts themselves to take a guess. Mahler's 4th is a charming piece. I love it for it's sincerity and modesty. Being the shortest and "simplestic" orchestration, it makes a great introductory Mahler symphony.

The score is very durable and is large and easy to read. The price is wonderful -- for the starving music student, particularly!

I highly reccommend this score to professionals and those adventurous listers out there.

Great Symphonies.......2000-08-08

Listening to Mahler's 3rd symphony is an inexorable experience. Reading the score while listening is ecstatic. It adds a lot to the enjoyment of the music if you have a copy of the score in hand. You can relate another sensory organ to the music, elevating the experience to greater heights.

Before I had the score, all I knew was there were several French horns playing the opening call in the 3rd (M3) but I know now that there are exactly 8 horns playing in unison. Like Aaron Copland said in his book 'What to Listen for in Music', "If there exists a more noble sound than eight horns singing a melody fortissimo in unison, I have never heard it". I think he's referring to M3's opening horn call. Magnificent! And now with the score in hand, I know exactly how the music was put on the score by Mahler, it's notation, expressive remarks, etc.

In some books that I read or even in the liner books that comes with the CDs, there is often reference to the measures in the music. Without the score, you will never know which measure that they are talking about. If you're really a Mahler fan, or for that matter, if you are really into a certain piece of music, buy the score. Believe me, it will add to your enjoyment.

However, some of you may think that it's a waste of time since you do not know how to read music. Yes, knowing how to read music will help a lot buy hey! reading music is not difficult to learn. All you need is to have the passion for music inside you and the passion to explore the music. If you have this, there's nothing that can be in your way.

The Dover series of scores are mostly reliable. Commercially, they are the best there is.

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