Embrace Everything - The World of Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony is the story of a young man beginning his journey through life. In fact, it is Mahler himself, looking at the world with wide-eyed wonder. Originally, he titled the first movement “Spring Without End,” for its depiction of the joys of nature. 

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner.

Guests include Michael Tilson Thomas (...

In the second movement of his First Symphony, Gustav Mahler draws upon the dance music of his youth. As his mood becomes more exuberant, so too, does the music.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner.

Guests include Michael Tilson Thomas (San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony), Kent Nagano (Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Hamburg State Opera and Philharm...

Early audiences found the third movement of Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony grotesque, macabre and unsettling. Inspired by an engraving entitled “The Huntsman’s Funeral,” Mahler juxtaposes death with humor, incorporating a popular children's melody—a brilliant touch that still delights and spooks audiences today. 

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechne...

Gustav Mahler originally titled his First Symphony “Titan,” because of the mighty struggle between his hero and fate, a monumental battle that reaches its climax in the fourth movement. 

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner.

Guests include Michael Tilson Thomas (San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony), William Hudgins (Principal Clarinet, Boston...

Season 2 focuses on Mahler’s Second Symphony in C minor (1888-1894), delving into Mahler’s gigantic musical exploration of life, death, and what lies beyond. Each episode is devoted to a movement of the symphony.

Guests include conductors Kent Nagano and Michael Tilson Thomas; principal musicians of the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra; scholar...

Mahler’s Second Symphony begins with the funeral for the hero of his First Symphony. The dramatic music rages with sorrow and anger...but also hope, for life after death.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler.

Guests include Kent Nagano (Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic), Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), Austin Howle (Principal Tuba, Montreal Symphony Orchestra), Matthew McDonald (P...

For his Second Symphony, Mahler created a second movement he described as a memory, “a ray of sunlight, pure and cloudless, out of the hero’s life.” The music is bittersweet.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler.

Guests include Michael Tilson Thomas (New World Symphony; San Francisco Symphony; London Symphony Orchestra), Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), Matthew Aucoin (Composer/Conduct...

In the summer of 1893, Mahler wrote a song, entitled “St. Anthony of Padua’s Sermon to the Fish.” It turned out so well, he incorporated melodies from it into the third movement of his Second Symphony.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.

Guests include Kent Nagano (Hamburg State Opera and Philharmoni...

The fourth movement of Mahler’s Second Symphony is a delicate song for mezzo-soprano and orchestra. It’s a turning point in the symphony, where the protagonist’s spiritual wisdom blossoms.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.

Guests include Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), Michael...

Mahler described the last movement of his Second Symphony, which includes two soloists and a chorus, as a colossal fresco of The Day of Judgement. All of humanity meets its maker, and Mahler stretches his musical wings, soaring to glorious heights.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.

Guests include K...

Season 3 focuses on Mahler’s Third Symphony in D minor (1895-1896), exploring Mahler’s unique perspective on the different orders of being, from lifeless matter to highest consciousness. Each episode is devoted to a movement of the symphony. 

Guests include conductors Kent Nagano and Michael Tilson Thomas; principal musicians of the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the...

Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony is the story of creation, with each movement a higher rung on the ladder of consciousness. It begins with lifeless matter and the struggle for life to emerge, portrayed as a musical battle between winter and summer.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner.

Guests include Kent Na...

In the second movement of his Third Symphony, Gustav Mahler begins the upward journey on the ladder of consciousness. He considers flowers the first step and portrays them in musically charming ways.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, Billy Lyons as the voice of Arthur Schopenhauer, and Gary Tiedemann as the voice of Gustav Theodor Fechner

Guests include...

Gustav Mahler made animals the next step upward on his ladder of consciousness in the third movement of his Third Symphony. Summoning both humor and tragedy, he portrays the sounds of the forest, from sweetly singing nightingales to fearsome creatures.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, Billy Lyons as the ...

In the fourth movement of his Third Symphony, Gustav Mahler’s ladder of consciousness reaches humanity. It is a dramatic orchestral song for mezzo soprano that explores the meaning of existence, with lyrics from Nietzsche’s book “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.”

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.

Guests include Carter ...

Angels are the next step on Gustav Mahler’s ladder of consciousness. In the joyful fifth movement of his Third Symphony, the orchestra is joined by a children’s choir and a women’s choir giving voice to the angels.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.

Guests include James Burton (Choral Director, Boston Symphony ...

In the sixth and final movement of Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony, he reaches the top rung on his ladder of consciousness. This glorious adagio is Mahler’s celebration of God’s perfect love.

Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner, Billy Lyons as the voice of Arthur...

Leonard Bernstein had an affinity for the music of Gustav Mahler, as seen in the climax of the Oscar-nominated 2023 Netflix film “Maestro.” In this special episode, we explore what the two musicians had in common, and learn how Bernstein brought Mahler back into the spotlight in the 1960s.

Guests include Jamie Bernstein (Leonard Bernstein's daughter) and Gabe Smith (Archivist for the New York Philharmonic).

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