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Gustav Mahler, Classical, Opera, KEXP.org, The Smiths & Morrissey, Madonna, Prince, Elliott Smith, The Shins, Tokyo Police Club, Photek, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Jeremy Koch, Death Cab, The Go! Team, Eliot Lipp, The Medic Droid, Modest Mouse, The Beta Band, Mike Jones, Jay Z, Radiohead, Evol Intent, Gang of Four, The Cure, Stereolab, Bjork, Life Cycle, The Postal Service, Cibo Matto, Mute Math, Rogue Wave, Drum & Base, House & Squarepusher
I find that Gustav Mahler is one of our most accomplished classical composers to date. Despite his apparent struggle with politics of the time, Mahler's list of accomplishments flourished as the world around him changed. If you listen closely to his work you can literally hear as he shifts from "Old World" traditions and folk songs to the uncertainty of the "New World".
Another way to describe Mahler would be to compare him to a young boy who happily plays the day away. Sadly, at the drop of a dime, the boy is forced into his own future before he is ready. As a result the boy abandons the childhood he believed to be everlasting.
Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) by Gustav Mahler is a favorite piece of mine. Movement #6 "Der Abschied" (The Farewell) written for contralto * and large orchestra, is a movement full of rich colors that seem to both compliment and conflict at the same time. Orchestral sounds heard throughout the movement include Chinese/Oriental, Hebrew, Jewish and of course Mahler's own Austrian/German heritage. As we listen to the orchestra play the solo contralto sings ancient Chinese poetry translated into German libretto. Symbolized by Oriental sounds, our "rebirth" or the return Spring is due to repeat "Ewig", the German word meaning forever.
"The dear earth everywhere
Blossoms in spring, and grows green anew.
Everywhere and forever, forever
Blue lights the horizon.
Forever... forever..."
Marie Antoinette, Party Girl, Fallen, 2001, A Space Odessy, The Great Gatsby, Willie Wonka..., Interview with a Vampire, The Breakfast Club, Harry Potter vol. 1-4, The Color Purple, Lost in Translation, Wizard of Oz [with AND without Dark Side of the Moon], Tales of the City et al.