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I'm way out of my depth here, I think I know what you mean Romy; my own feeling about Mahler is that just when he's developing what could be the most haunting melody or lyrical phrase he gets bored with it and goes off on a tangent. Not always, of course, but I sometimes wish he had been a bit more willing to admit the obvious, even cheesy, at times.

OTOH, maybe it wasn't boredom but a very conscious effort on his part to avoid simplicity, or the familiar. Intrusion of the composer's left-brain where it doesn't belong?

Either way, I suppose if you take that to an extreme you end up with free jazz, which I can respect on some pretentious intellectual level but not picture anyone truly loving (well, maybe John Zorn).

Funny you mention the "absorption of his phrasing" - I often find myself whistling some of his more unorthodox lines - usually to very odd looks. And I also find that sometimes just one of the more monolithic movements from the 5th or 6th is all I need.

Incidentally, I forgot to thank you for the Scherchen recommendation for the 5th - just love that chaotic, bordering-on-the-out-of-control finale.

cheers

cv

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site