Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony - Final Movement

Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major, "Symphony of a Thousand"
Part II, XII. Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis (All things transitory are but parable...)

Music composed by Gustav Mahler
Performed by Rundfunkchor Berlin & Deutsches Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin
Conducted by Kent Nagano

[kaseywashington-yk]

Imagine slowly ascending, passing through the clouds, drifting through the cosmos til you touch the Pearly Gates of Heaven... That's what I felt when I listened to this. I felt heaven itself...

[valentinobambino]

-Dad, Why is my sister named Rose?
-Because your mother loves roses.
-Thanks, dad.
-You're welcome, Mahler's 8th symphony - Final Movement.

[eardizzone_mus]

The perfect finale doesn't exi... thanks Nagano, greatest interpretation of the truly GOATED transcendental symphonic finale.

[rochealexander]

In the words of Salieri; "This is God speaking to mankind through music." How beautiful is this divine and how privileged are we to have heard this masterpiece. Appreciate this, for there are millions who have not heard this music.

[orionsuniversepart]

I like to imagine that the final movement of Mahler's 8th symphony depicts him triumphantly leaving Earth and venturing out towards the universe in victory, but after a while, during the 9th symphony, he realizes he can never go back home and the somber melodies represent him venturing ever near towards the void. At the first movement of his 10th symphony, the one he never completed on his own, he is just close to the infinite darkness of the void (death) when suddenly, the ship lights up in an intense white hot light (around 19 minutes into the piece) with an incredible discordant noise of white hot pain. As the first movement of his unfinished piece comes to an end, he and his ship dissolves into the void forever.

[rjr]

The whole 8 minutes seems to be one phrase. Beautiful build-up.

[BenLee]

mahler is by far the greatest composer of all time

[brunonpaulbielinski]

There are other performances of this most special finale of a wonderful Symphony but to my ears this is the one that appeals to me the most. I found it by accident and will listenening to it regularly !

[NecronomTheth]

This is one of Nagano’s greatest achievement I don’t understand why it’s not talked about more.

[jrffite]

Never mind, I've found it.

Sylvia Greenberg, soprano;
Lynne Dawson, soprano;
Sally Matthews, soprano;
Sophie Koch, alto;
Elena Manistina, alto;
Robert Gambill, tenor;
Detlef Roth, baritone;
Jan-Hendrik Rootering, bass.

Rundfunkchor Berlin (Simon Halsey, director);
MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig (Howard Arman, director);
Windsbacher Knabenchor (Karl-Friedrich Beringer, director),
Sigurd Brauns, organ.
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Kent Nagano.

Recorded in Berlin, April-May 2004.

[danielfabricio]

Alles Vergängliche
Ist nur ein Gleichnis;
Das Unzulängliche,
Hier wird's Ereignis;
Das Unbeschreibliche,
Hier ist's getan;
Das Ewig-Weibliche
Zieht uns hinan.

[TC.....]

I first heard Mahler (symphony no 1) about 20 years ago when I was about 20 years old. That was such a great song! I wonder why it took me 15 years later to hear other works of his (especially 2nd, 3rd & 8th).

This in my preferred final for years....

[chrisgabele]

How is this not at the top of songs such as 1812 overture or Beethoven's the ninth symphony.

[Yannoux]

This music is what I'd composed if I were omniscient. Basically godlike.

[luisrueda]

Magnífica, majestuosa y portentosa obra que te lleva a mundos infinitos y envuelve tu alma en luz y color hasta el paraíso de los sentidos. Mahler es maravilloso. Mi sinfonía favorita. Después de escuchar el gran final la vida es otra. Mil gracias.

[MCMAC]

I have preformed mahlers fifth and am going to preform the eight this summer and listening to this incredibly finale I am so excited for it.

[TheDipperPinez]

this is up there with beethoven’s ninth

[MyTroubadour]

Monumental Mahler !! Après cela...que peut-on encore écouter pour l'extase ?

[martinstremlow]

Alles Vergängliche
Ist nur ein Gleichnis;
Das Unzulängliche,
Hier wird's Ereignis;
Das Unbeschreibliche,
Hier ist's getan;


J.W.v.Goethe