James Zehm wrote:


Deryk Barker <[log in to unmask]> replies:
>
>>Mahler's 1st should only be referred to as Titan when referring to the
>>1893 (Weimar) revision, which is not the version usually performed (that's
>>from 1898/9).  The orchestration is different and there are five movements.
>>None of which are called Titan.
>
>Sometimes it is played with the Blumine as FIFTH movement too.  I have such
>a version on CD.

There are versions where Blumine is on Band 5 of a CD, but I'm certain
this is not because the conductor concerned intends it to be looked on
as a fifth movement.  That would be truly bizarre.  It's there as a fill
up to be inserted in the symphony if you so wish.  However, to do so in a
recording of the revised version would be to create a hybrid that Mahler
never intended and so should be discouraged.

If Blumine is to be played at all either it should be in its correct place
in the earlier version of the sympony or as a standalone piece.

And the final version of the First Symphony should NEVER be called "Titan".
Though try telling that to record companies and concert promoters who love
their Mahler Symphonies to have titles, which none of them actually do if
the composer's wishes are to be respected.  Not even "Resurrection" for
Number 2 and certainly not "Symphony of a Thousand" for Number 8.

>No, Mahler wrote a new 2nd movement to his 1.  as he thought the "Blumine"
>wasn't "gut genug".  How he now could think so.  I think it is not that
>sure, the Blumine connects well with the 3rd movement for instance, but the
>new better with movements 1.  and possibly 4.  Anyway that new 2nd movement
>is what we are talking about (I hope)

No, there were _five_ movements to start with in the first version and then
Mahler dropped one of themwhen he revised the work - Blumine, was the one
he dropped.  He did NOT write a new second movement, the second movement
was there from the very start as the Wyn Morris recording of the earlier
version shows.

There are plenty of Mahlerian myths around.  Let us not start any more.

Tony Duggan
Staffordshire,
United Kingdom.