Gustav Mahler: An Introduction to His Music Paperback – Import, June 1, 1988

Shortly after I began listening to classical music some sixty years ago, I came across Mahler’s Symphony #1 and Symphony #4. I liked both: #1 for its majesty and #4 for its serenity. However, when I tried Mahler’s other symphonies, I seemed to run into a brick wall, not able to appreciate the music. This state of affairs persisted for decades, perhaps due to lack of effort. Then, at the beginning of summer 2020, I came across BBC’s ranking of the world’s greatest symphonies, by leading conductors, and was surprised to find there were three Mahler Symphonies, 9, 2, and 3, ranked 4th, 5th and 10th respectively. I especially found it perplexing that #9 was ranked in the top 5, ahead of many of my favorites, including Beethoven’s #6.I decided to make a serious effort to listen to Mahler, in particular to gain an understanding why those Mahler Symphonies were ranked so high. In the summer of 2020, I devoted many hours to this project. Toward the end of the summer, I was making good progress. It then occurred to me that reading a book about Mahler may also be helpful. In mid-October 2020, I purchased “Gustav Mahler – An Introduction to his Music” by Deryck Cooke, a Mahler expert who passed away in 1976.The book did not disappoint. The mature works of Mahler, both songs and Symphonies, were grouped into three periods. The author’s brief narration of the composer’s life, descriptions of the background of each song and Symphony, the analysis of the compositions, did contribute to my appreciation of Mahler’s music. To keep this review to a reasonable length, I’ll give only a couple of examples:Although Mahler never placed much value on the written word to describe music, his own program notes on the first three movements of Symphony #2, reproduced in the book (p.53), did enhance my feeling and appreciation of the music. Partly due to this, the second movement has now become one of my favorite symphonic movements.The author’s remarks on the nocturnal music of Symphony #7 attracted me to this symphony, which is probably the least known symphony of Mahler.I was pleased, though not surprised, to see the following profound and universal questions asked by the young Mahler:“… how a world so fresh and beautiful can contain so much cruelty?” (p.7)“How can cruelty and evil be the work of a loving God? Will death at last reveal the meaning of life?” (p.9)I believed Mahler had tried to seek answers to these questions in his music. In helping the reader to appreciate Mahler’s music, the author was indirectly helping the reader in this search as well. I myself found it comforting to read these sentences toward the end of the book (p.103): “The last works are undeniably a heart-broken farewell to life, but a loving, not a bitter one…..It is given to very few to ‘take fate by the throat’ like Beethoven – or to face fate so boldly and go down fighting as courageously as Mahler.”Finally, to be honest, although I am on the way to appreciating why Symphony #9 was ranked so high by the leading conductors, I am not there yet – still working on it.

My wife is really enjoying this book. It gives her inspirations that she was not expecting for when she made the purchase. Very amazing surprise. Special thanks to Alex's wife for your warm note.

Got the book fast. Was exactly what the seller said it was (condition and all). Thanks!

When I discovered Mahler 25 years ago having listened to his First Symphony, I was immediately hooked; mainly because of the third movement with its weird alternation of the eerie Frére Jacques funeral march and austrian/german town-band music. Of course I wanted to know more about this not-very-popular composer (at least at the time) of whom the most common comment was that his symphonies were gigantic, excessively long "metaphysical" musical excursions. Not really sure of where to go next after what I had listened, I thought the best way was to buy a book about Mahler. Standing at the book store in front of Donald Mitchell's Mahler: The Early Years and Deryck Cook's Mahler: An Introduction To His Music and after briefly leafing through both, I decided to go for Cook's. The book turned out to be the key that opened up Mahler's musical world to me like a treasure chest. Presenting Mahler's basic biographical facts, its main value is that it takes a beginner by the hand through each of his compositions step by step in a concise manner (the book is only 127 pages long). It's the perfect introduction for a beginner; after Cook's book the interested Mahler fan can graduate on to any of the many biographical or analytical books on Mahler. Biographically, De La Grange's of course, is like the Mahler Bible; although rather imposing - 4 volumes, almost 5,000 pages, $100 per volume - for a Mahlerphile it's a must. On the other hand, Donald Mitchell's authoritative and also extensive still-ongoing work on Mahler (3 volumes so far) although excellent, is a more technical work, Mitchell having stated that his intention is not to tread the path that De La Grange has already trodden. If you want to enter Mahler's world, think no more, Cook's book remains the best introduction for a beginner: accesible, concise and cheap. Highly recommended!

There are many books on my favorite composer, Gustav Mahler.This one is geared specifically to explaining each of his compositions, rather than just providing his biography.It also provides the words to Mahler's works, in both the original German, and in good English translations, side by side.Look to one of the many excellent books on Mahler, if you want to find out more about the man and his life. This book is the indispensable, quick source for information on his music. Have it at hand, as you listen to a symphony, or any of the lovely songs on which Mahler based those symphonies. It's especially useful to read the page or two commentary on each symphony, just before you listen to it. You'll get much more out of the music with a better understanding.

Cooke has an insight into the works and personality of Mahler as the 'completer' of his Tenth Symphony. This book is a brief guide of the life and works of the composer. Interesting biographical detail is interspersed with information about each symphony. The inclusion of the text of the songs is a helpful addition as are the words of Mahler's earliest symphonic composition 'Das Klagende Lied.' Certainly a work that can be read and re-read with pleasure.

A fine copy for a book published in 1980

A quick read for those who wish to brush up their knowledge on Mahler and his works. The ability of Mr Cooke is highly technical but fully driven by his musical love and well served talent. With this book, Mr Cooke is the friend who helps you further discover the works of Gustav Mahler. The great news is that you can go back to this book each time you listen to his music.

Although this only deals very briefly with Maher's compositions , I am not aware of any omissions. Those wishing to know the lyrics of his songs will find this an excellent reference work.

Ok

Gustav Mahler: An Introduction to His MusicA useful brief guide to Mahler and his music. The sort of commentary one would like to find in a concert program note for the individual works.Deryck Cooke's "The Language of Music" is for me a most illuminating overview of the way this gifted musician and writer understands how music works in the human mind.