(Semi-dedicated to Steve, who is in the midst of a Mahler listening project-)
The impact of New York (and more particularly, the New York Philharmonic) on the legacy of Gustav Mahler is comprehensive and inarguable. To begin with, there's the biographical fact that Mahler served as Principal Conductor of the New York Philharmonic late in the opening decade of the previous century.
For those who have a passing awareness of the Philharmonic's standing as the oldest Symphony Orchestra in America, it might be surprising to learn that there was a time when the Philharmonic wasn't even considered the best band in New York. That distinction was held by the New York Symphony (Society) under the leadership of Leopold Damrosch. Their primacy was such that the Philharmonic was relegated to a part-time ensemble.
As the century turned, the Symphony Society's helm tranferred to the hands of Leopold's equally famous (if not quite as musically capable) son Walter. The resulting loss of stature aided in giving the Philharmonic the opportunity to reorganize to full-time once again- and emerge as a very credible rival to the Symphony Society. For those who didn't have grudges or critical axes to grind, the Philharmonic's ascendency was further helped by their employe of one of the half-dozen most famous conductors of the time (and, it must be added, MUCH more famous as a conductor than as a composer, at that point)- one Gustav Mahler.
To be continued... readers' thoughts between installments HIGHLY cncouraged!
The impact of New York (and more particularly, the New York Philharmonic) on the legacy of Gustav Mahler is comprehensive and inarguable. To begin with, there's the biographical fact that Mahler served as Principal Conductor of the New York Philharmonic late in the opening decade of the previous century.
For those who have a passing awareness of the Philharmonic's standing as the oldest Symphony Orchestra in America, it might be surprising to learn that there was a time when the Philharmonic wasn't even considered the best band in New York. That distinction was held by the New York Symphony (Society) under the leadership of Leopold Damrosch. Their primacy was such that the Philharmonic was relegated to a part-time ensemble.
As the century turned, the Symphony Society's helm tranferred to the hands of Leopold's equally famous (if not quite as musically capable) son Walter. The resulting loss of stature aided in giving the Philharmonic the opportunity to reorganize to full-time once again- and emerge as a very credible rival to the Symphony Society. For those who didn't have grudges or critical axes to grind, the Philharmonic's ascendency was further helped by their employe of one of the half-dozen most famous conductors of the time (and, it must be added, MUCH more famous as a conductor than as a composer, at that point)- one Gustav Mahler.
To be continued... readers' thoughts between installments HIGHLY cncouraged!