Conductor Jascha Horenstein was an early adapter of Gustav Mahler, championing his works at a time when the composer wasn’t much in favor with contemporary audiences. He conducuted the first ever studio recording of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony in 1952 and went on to record many pieces of the late Romantic composer. Tonight’s program features a stunning remaster of one of Horenstein’s most famous Mahler recordings: the 8th symphony at Royal Albert Hall. Nicknamed the “Symphony of a Thousand, Mahler’s epic work was recorded that day using a single microphone, strategically placed in the reverberant space. Also features on the program, excerpts of various other recordings featuring Jascha Horenstein.
Historic performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony
United States premiere of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in Eb (1916), with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski. (Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Philadelphia_Orchestra_at_American_premiere_of_Mahler%27s_8th_Symphony_(1916).jpg&oldid=779182964/)
Playlist
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8
Soloists; BBC Choir
London Symphony Orchestra; Horenstein
High Definition Tape Transfer
