Gustav Mahler: An Introduction to His Music

Got the book fast. Was exactly what the seller said it was (condition and all). Thanks!

When I discovered Mahler 25 years ago having listened to his First Symphony, I was immediately hooked; mainly because of the third movement with its weird alternation of the eerie Frére Jacques funeral march and austrian/german town-band music. Of course I wanted to know more about this not-very-popular composer (at least at the time) of whom the most common comment was that his symphonies were gigantic, excessively long "metaphysical" musical excursions. Not really sure of where to go next after what I had listened, I thought the best way was to buy a book about Mahler. Standing at the book store in front of Donald Mitchell's Mahler: The Early Years and Deryck Cook's Mahler: An Introduction To His Music and after briefly leafing through both, I decided to go for Cook's. The book turned out to be the key that opened up Mahler's musical world to me like a treasure chest. Presenting Mahler's basic biographical facts, its main value is that it takes a beginner by the hand through each of his compositions step by step in a concise manner (the book is only 127 pages long). It's the perfect introduction for a beginner; after Cook's book the interested Mahler fan can graduate on to any of the many biographical or analytical books on Mahler. Biographically, De La Grange's of course, is like the Mahler Bible; although rather imposing - 4 volumes, almost 5,000 pages, $100 per volume - for a Mahlerphile it's a must. On the other hand, Donald Mitchell's authoritative and also extensive still-ongoing work on Mahler (3 volumes so far) although excellent, is a more technical work, Mitchell having stated that his intention is not to tread the path that De La Grange has already trodden. If you want to enter Mahler's world, think no more, Cook's book remains the best introduction for a beginner: accesible, concise and cheap. Highly recommended!

There are many books on my favorite composer, Gustav Mahler. This one is geared specifically to explaining each of his compositions, rather than just providing his biography. It also provides the words to Mahler's works, in both the original German, and in good English translations, side by side. Look to one of the many excellent books on Mahler, if you want to find out more about the man and his life. This book is the indispensable, quick source for information on his music. Have it at hand, as you listen to a symphony, or any of the lovely songs on which Mahler based those symphonies. It's especially useful to read the page or two commentary on each symphony, just before you listen to it. You'll get much more out of the music with a better understanding.

Cooke has an insight into the works and personality of Mahler as the 'completer' of his Tenth Symphony. This book is a brief guide of the life and works of the composer. Interesting biographical detail is interspersed with information about each symphony. The inclusion of the text of the songs is a helpful addition as are the words of Mahler's earliest symphonic composition 'Das Klagende Lied.' Certainly a work that can be read and re-read with pleasure.