3 reasons for why should you love Mahler's Symphonies

I had not listened to Mahler's Symphonies in the past because I usually go to Hong Kong Sinfonietta's concert only, and they rarely play his pieces. Until the last September, I finally first heard Mahler's Symphony No.5 From Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in Yuja Wang's concerto concert. After that, I am truly amazed and touched by his music. Follow by that, the Academy Symphony Orchestra has performed his Symphony No.9 this year. Having the chance of playing his music, has given me a deeper understanding of his sound world. From then on, I am truly in love with Mahler's Symphony and now I will give out 3 reasons for why should you love Mahler's Symphonies.

Firstly, his symphony has a terrific orchestration. From the perspective of a percussionist or even lower brass players, we have much more stuff to play and it is fun to play too. Beside from that, he successfully explored new sounds by experimenting different timbres' combination between non-traditional combinations of instruments.

Secondly, his highly mature harmonizing skill. He is one of the late German Romantic period composers, his highly chromatic harmonies gives a new taste to some of the diatonic melodies such as the fourth movement of the ninth symphony, where the harmonic progression is sometimes unpredictable.

Thirdly, they give you goosebumps when you listen to it. Watch and listen to the video above, even without the long build-up to the climax, it still gives you great goosebumps and it feels so good.

Hope these reasons would make you fall in love with Mahler's Symphonies too!