Embrace Everything - The World of Gustav Mahler
Aaron Cohen
The Embrace Everything podcast series is an exploration and celebration of the music of Gustav Mahler. Throughout his life Mahler insisted that music had to, literally, embrace everything. This makes his compositions unusually rich in what they offer both audience and musicians. It’s often delightfully quirky one moment and then deeply tragic the next. Mahler did not shy away from introducing the most low-brow, commonplace musical tune alongside the most radiantly sublime words in all of spiritual literature. Gustav Mahler meant what he said: music has to embrace everything.Each season of the series explores a different Mahler symphony. The series already includes more than 100 interviews with leading conductors, music scholars, and orchestral musicians—all of whom have extensive first-hand experience with the music, offering an abundance of insights into just what makes Mahler’s music so unique. Additionally, comments from Mahler and his contemporaries are read by actors throughout the programs. Each episode explores how Mahler drew not just from the world of music but from the other arts, from the world of nature, and from life itself. Anything that attracted Mahler’s attention was liable to find its way into the music. How did he do this? That’s something each episode investigates.Interviews thus far include members of the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra.Embrace Everything has topped podcast charts around the world. The series reached #1 on the Apple Music Commentary, Music History, or Music charts in more than 25 countries and has won 15 international awards in the last three years.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 9, 2023 • 34min
Movement Three - What the Animals in the Forest Tell Me (S3, Ep.3)
Colorado Mahlerfest 39 is coming up! May 13 to 17 in Boulder, Colorado.Embrace Everything listeners can get discounted tickets, merchandise, and access to special features. More information here:https://mahlerfest.org/pages/embrace-everything*****Gustav Mahler made animals the next step upward on his ladder of consciousness in the third movement of his Third Symphony. Summoning both humor and tragedy, he portrays the sounds of the forest, from sweetly singing nightingales to fearsome creatures.*****Starring:*JAMES LURIE as the voice of Gustav Mahler*PAUL HECHT as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche*LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner*BILLY LYONS as the voice of Arthur Schopenhauer*GARY TIEDEMANN as the voice of Gustav Theodor FechnerGuests include:*KENT NAGANO – Conductor (Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony Orchestra)*CARTER BREY - Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic*BILL HUDGINS - Principal Clarinet, Boston Symphony Orchestra*CHRISTOPHER MARTIN - Principal Trumpet, New York Philharmonic*MARILYN McCOY - Columbia University, New York*JOANNA NEILLY - Oxford University, England*****Support us on PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/u91819874/membershipSee the new EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG on our website:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFor a tax-deductible one-time contribution, support us on FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.org*****EPISODE LINKS:Season 3, Episode 3: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s3e3.htmlEmbrace Everything Website: www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7
Dec 8, 2022 • 20min
Movement Two - What the Flowers in the Meadow Tell Me (S3, Ep.2)
In the second movement of his Third Symphony, Gustav Mahler begins the upward journey on the ladder of consciousness. He considers flowers the first step and portrays them in musically charming ways.*****Starring:*JAMES LURIE as the voice of Gustav Mahler*LAURA GRAGTMANS as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner*BILLY LYONS as the voice of Arthur Schopenhauer*GARY TIEDEMANN as the voice of Gustav Theodor FechnerGuests include:*CARTER BREY - Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic*ROBERT CHEN - Concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra *CAROLINE KITA - Washington University in St. Louis *MARILYN McCOY - Columbia University, New York*****Support us on PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/u91819874/membershipSee the new EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG on our website:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFor a tax-deductible one-time contribution, support us on FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.org*****EPISODE LINKS:Season 3, Episode 2: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s3e2.htmlEmbrace Everything Website: www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7
6 snips
Dec 5, 2022 • 49min
Movement One - Pan Awakes and Summer Marches In (S3, Ep.1)
Guest Kent Nagano, General Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera, and Chief Conductor of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, discuss Gustav Mahler's Third Symphony. They explore Mahler's intention to capture the awakening of the world through his music, focusing on the section 'Pan's Awakening' and 'Summer Marches In'. The podcast delves into the symbolism behind the trombone solo and the emotional power of Mahler's music.
Nov 22, 2022 • 3min
Season 3 - "My Joyful Science" - Mahler's Third Symphony
Explore Mahler's Third Symphony in D minor through interviews with conductors, orchestra members, and music scholars. Delve into the themes of evolution, nature, and consciousness that Mahler conveys through his music.
8 snips
Jul 7, 2021 • 52min
Movement Five – With Wings I’ve Won for Myself (S2, Ep.5)
Guest Kent Nagano, conductor of Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic and Montreal Symphony Orchestra, discusses the inspirations and impact of Gustav Mahler's Fifth and final movement in his Second Symphony. They explore themes of redemption, the symbolism of trumpets and nightingales in Mahler's music, and the transformative power of his symphonies. They also delve into the connection between judgment and compassion, emphasizing the absence of distinctions between sinners and righteous individuals.
Jul 7, 2021 • 15min
Movement Four – O Little Red Rose (S2, Ep.4)
Guests include Carter Brey (Principal Cello, NY Philharmonic), Michael Sachs (Principal Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra), and Marilyn McCoy (Columbia University). They discuss the significance of Mahler's Fourth Symphony, exploring the origins and meaning of 'Urlicht', the first musical portrait of 'Oh, Little Red Rose', the soul's quest for God, and the concept of earning a place in heaven through struggle.
5 snips
Jul 7, 2021 • 26min
Movement Three – Never Did a Sermon So Please the Fish (S2, Ep.3)
Kent Nagano, a conductor, and Carter Brey, a principal cellist, discuss the symbolism in Gustav Mahler's second symphony, particularly the third movement inspired by Mahler's earlier song. The podcast explores the allegorical meaning of the satiric song about St. Anthony preaching to fish and delves into the characteristics and symbolism of the lively dance-like movement. It also discusses the contrasting themes and emotions in the symphony, representing triumph, loss, despair, and the cycle of life.
Jul 7, 2021 • 22min
Movement Two – A Sunbeam into Your Soul (S2, Ep.2)
Explores Mahler's Second Symphony and its second movement, featuring insights from conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and cellist Carter Brey. Topics discussed include the use of rubato and glissando in Mahler's music, the joyous glissandi for string players, Mahler's creative process, and the incorporation of dance music and Schubertian cantalena.
Jul 7, 2021 • 32min
Movement One – A Burning Denunciation of the Creator (S2, Ep.1)
Kent Nagano, Carter Brey, Austin Howle, Matthew McDonald, and Michael Sachs discuss themes of resurrection, transformation, anger towards God, and the meaning of life in Mahler's Second Symphony. The podcast also explores Mahler's use of a large orchestra, climaxes, dissolution, marches, and the influence of Mozart's bass lines in his music.
Jun 23, 2021 • 2min
Season 2 – Rise Again - Mahler's Second Symphony
Season 2 focuses on Mahler’s Second Symphony in C minor (1888-1894), delving into Mahler’s gigantic musical exploration of life, death, and what lies beyond. Each episode is devoted to a movement of the symphony.Winner of a Gold Award at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards and a 2022 Signal Award.*****Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner and Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner.Guests include conductors Kent Nagano and Michael Tilson Thomas; principal musicians of the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra; and scholars from Columbia University, Washington University in St. Louis, Los Angeles City College, and Oxford University in England.*****Support us on PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/u91819874/membershipSee the new EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG on our website:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFor a tax-deductible one-time contribution, support us on FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.org*****EPISODE LINKS:Season 2: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/season2.htmlEmbrace Everything Website: www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7
