Embrace Everything - The World of Gustav Mahler

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 *LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-...

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.  Winner of a Gold Award at the 2024 New York Festivals Radio Awards, two Communicator Awards and two Davey Awards. ***** Starring James Lurie as the...

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 *ROBERT FASS as the voice of Sie...

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 *ROBERT FASS as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner Guests include: *CARTER BREY - Principal Cell...

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 *ROBERT FASS as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner Guests include: *KENT NAGANO – C...

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 – Conductor (San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra) *CARTER BREY - Principal Cello, New Yo...

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 – Conductor (Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony Orchestra) *CARTER BREY - Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic *A...

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. Winner of a Gold Award at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards and a 2022 Signal Award. ***** Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of...

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 *LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner Guests include: *MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS – Conductor (San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony...

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 *LAURA GRAGTMANS as t...

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 *LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner Guests include: *MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS – Conductor (San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra) *K...

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 *LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner Guests...

Season 1 focuses on Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major (1888), taking listeners back to the work’s origins in the street songs, folk tunes and bugle calls of Mahler’s childhood. Each episode is devoted to a movement of the symphony. ***** Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler and Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner. Guests include conductors Kent Nagano and Michael T...