Mahler: Symphony No. 1 | Staatskapelle Dresden & Fabio Luisi 2008 (full symphony)

In the footsteps of Gustav Mahler: Fabio Luisi conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major as if the composer himself were standing at the lectern. This performance by Staatskapelle Dresden took place in 2008 at the Philharmonie im Gasteig Munich. (00:00) I. Langsam. Schleppend. Im Anfang sehr gemächlich (Slowly, dragging) (15:38) II. Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell (Moving strongly, but not too quickly) (24:17) III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen (Solemnly and measured, without dragging) (36:03) IV. Stürmisch bewegt (Stormily agitated – energetic) Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911) composed most of his first symphony between the end of 1887 and March 1888 and premiered it himself in 1889 – at that time as a “symphonic poem” in five movements. The lack of success of the premiere resulted in years of struggle over how to present and program this weighty symphonic work. This process only came to an end in 1899 when the first symphony went to print. While working o