Have a theological question?

Introduction:

• Composed primarily between 1895 and 1896, it consists of six movements; Mahler’s longest composition, lasting around 110 minutes.
• Mahler originally provided a title for the Symphony “A Summer’s Midday Dream” with a description of each movement, viz.,

1. Pan Awakes, Summer Marches In;
2. What the Flowers in the Meadow Tell Me;
3. What the Animals in the Forest Tell Me;
4. What Man Tells Me;
5. What the Angels Tell Me; and
6. What Love Tells Me.

• The text for the fourth movement (viz., Friedrich Nietzsche's Also sprach Zarathustra), the "Midnight Song":

O Man! Take heed!

What says the deep midnight?

"I slept, I slept —,

from a deep dream have I awoken: —

the world is deep,

and deeper than the day has thought.

Deep is its pain —,

joy — deeper still than heartache.

Pain says: Pass away!

But all joy seeks eternity —,

— seeks deep, deep eternity!"

• The text for the fifth movement (viz., Des Knaben Wunderhorn):

Three angels sang a sweet song,

with blessed joy it rang in heaven.

They shouted too for joy

that Peter was free from sin!

And as Lord Jesus sat at the table

with his twelve disciples and ate the evening meal,

Lord Jesus said: "Why do you stand here?

When I look at you, you are weeping!"

"And should I not weep, kind God?

I have violated the ten commandments!

I wander and weep bitterly!

O come and take pity on me!"

"If you have violated the ten commandments,

then fall on your knees and pray to God!

Love only God for all time!

So will you gain heavenly joy."

The heavenly joy is a blessed city,

the heavenly joy that has no end!

The heavenly joy was granted to Peter

through Jesus, and to all mankind for eternal bliss.

• It has been voted one of the greatest symphonies of all time in a survey of conductors by the BBC Music Magazine.

Recordings:

• Symphonie No. 3.
  Christa Ludwig (contralto), James McCarthy, Joseph Flummerfelt.
  Brooklyn Boys Chorus, New York Choral Artists.
  New York Philharmonic.
  Leonard Bernstein.
  Deutsche Grammophon.
  Grammy Awards (1989): Best Orchestral Performance.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2019): Recommended.

• Boulez Conducts Mahler.
  Symphony No. 3.
  Pierre Boulez.
  Deutsch Grammophon.
  Grammy Awards (2003): Best Orchestral Performance.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2016): Recommended.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2023): Recommended.

• Symphonies 1 – 9.
  Symphony No. 3.
  Czech Philharmonic.
  Semyon Bychkov.
  Pentatone.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2022): Record of the Week.
  Sunday Times (2022): 10 Best Classical Albums.
  International Music Magazine Awards (2023): Nominated Symphonic Music.
  Opus Klassik awards (2023): Nominated Conductor of the Year.

• Symphony No. 3.
  Gerhild Romberger (alto).
  Cantemus Children’s Choir, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks.
  Budapest Festival Orchestra.
  Ivan Fischer.
  Channel Classics.
  Gramophone Magazine (2017): Editor’s Choice.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2017): Finalist.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2017): Recording of the Week.
  The New York Times (2017): Recordings of the Year.
  The Times Records of the Year (2017).
  Opus Klassik Awards (2018): Winner Audiophile Multi-Track Recording of the Year.

• The Symphonies & Orchestral Songs.
  Symphony No. 3.
  Maureen Forrester (alto).
  Netherlands Radio Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Boy’s Choir.
  Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
  Bernard Haitink.
  Decca.

• Symphonie Nr. 3.
  Gerhild Romberger (mezzo-soprano).
  Augsburger Domsingknaben Frauenchor. Symphonirorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks.
  Bernard Haitink.
  BR Klassik.
  BBC Music Magazine (2017): Orchestral Choice.
  Presto Recording of the Week(2017):.
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2017): Finalist.
  Radio 3 Record Review (2017): Recording of the Year.
  BBC Music Magazine Awards (2018): Winner Orchestral.
  BBC Music Magazine Awards (2018): Recording of the Year.

• 10 Symphonien.
  Symphonie No. 3.
  Marjorie Thomas (contralto), Gerhard Schmidt (chorus master), Wolfgang Schubert (chorus master).
  Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Der Tölzer Knabenchor.
  Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
  Rafael Kubelik.
  Deutsche Grammophon.

• Symphony No. 3.
  Hanna Hipp (mezzo).
  Royal Philharmonia Chorus.
  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
  Vasily Petrenko.
  Harmonia Mundi.

• Mahler 3.
  Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano).
  Women of the Minnesota Chorale, Minnesota Boychoir.
  Minnesota Orchestra.
  Osmo Vanska.
  BIS.
  Sunday Times: 20 Best Classical Albums of 2024.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.