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Part one of theis poll was for Vaughan Williams.

This is part two and for Mahler. I did not include Symphony No. 10 and don't want to get into that argument.

For me its 6. I am performing 1 this weekend. But i would most like to play 2. If I could stop tears from welling up in my eyes at the end. Just raw emotional power in that.

You gotta love the playing the seventh, especially while the trumpets scream out their "John Williams" part

I think the first symphony is interesting, but highly overrated.
(Expecting to get flamed by kolledge students that took a semester of music depreciation. Their favorite to play is probably the fourth )

Gotta go with 2.At the end the clouds part and we all ascend into Heaven...Awesome...

For me it has got to be the 6th - not just my favourite Mahler, but favourite symphony period. I have been fortunate enough to have performed 3 times and loved every time. It never fails to move me, while the last movement must be the best of all for tuba with the opening solo, brass chorale, imitation alp-horn, trills and numerous other magical moments. I remember at a rehearsal one of the trumpets turning around to me saying "its a flipping tuba concerto!"

I also adore the 2nd symphony with probibly the best brass chorale of all, while one cannot fail to be uplifted by that finale. Playing the 2nd in Salisbury Cathedral was my first really big orchestral concert and I can still remember the god like feeling I had - I was truly hooked!

The 5th is also a great play - I think the most technically demanding.

The 3rd movement solo in the 1st is nice, but not so good for the tuba otherwise. That symphony seems more a horn players dream.

I have enjoyed the 3rd which has its great moments.

Am still awaiting to play 7 to 9.

Mahler 2 twice with the CBSO in Symphony Hall are amongst my favourite recent performances. Amazing, powerful, emotional music at It's very best. Ist Symphony is great, but that long D seem's to go on forever in an audition!

Ian1 wrote:Mahler 2 twice with the CBSO in Symphony Hall are amongst my favourite recent performances. Amazing, powerful, emotional music at It's very best. Ist Symphony is great, but that long D seem's to go on forever in an audition!

My favourite Symphony, but also my favourite recording is the CBSO / Rattle one from some time ago.

I agree, fantastic recording. The best.

Oramo was good when we played Mahler 2, but when Rattle came over and conducted Enigma Variations a couple of years ago the whole Orchestra perked up. Me included! I recorded with the new guy Andris a few months ago. I think he will insert some flair into the orchestra for sure.

A bad conductor can ruin any fantastic Mahler work...

I only know these Symphonies as a horn player. And 5 is my favorite with 1 being a close second. I love listening to 2, never played it. I hope one day to get to play some of these on tuba. Got allot more practicing to do first.

5 is awfully fun to play, and 2 is certainly uplifting beyond words. But the last movement of 3 is something very special for me, not just unearthly gorgeous but it was the first bit (?) of his work I ever heard. And you never forget your first Mahler.

Too bad Sammy Fain stole a motiv and diminished the effect for a lot of listeners. I wonder if Alma got royalties.

Have played 5 and 1 (2 times)....still nothing more exhilarating than playing a Mahler Symphony.

Still hoping to do #2. Having seen it performed a number of times, I can only imagine what it feels like to be on stage as a performer.....

-Josh