Classical Music Discoveries

The Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major by Gustav Mahler is one of the largest-scale choral works in the classical concert repertoire. Because it requires huge instrumental and vocal forces it is frequently called the "Symphony of a Thousand", although the work is normally presented with far fewer than a thousand performers and the composer did not sanction that name. The work was composed in a single inspired burst, at Maiernigg in southern Austria in the summer of 1906. The last of Mahler's works that was premiered in his lifetime, the symphony was a critical and popular success when he conducted the Munich Philharmonic in its first performance, in Munich, on 12 September 1910. Performed by: CMD German Opera Company of Berlin CMD Grand Opera Company of Venice CMD Chorus and Philharmonic of Paris in Orlean CMD Boy's Choir of Vienna Conducted by Kenneth Hedgecock Purchase now at: http://www.classicalsavings.com/store/p498/Mahler%3A_Symphony_No._8_%22Symphony_of_a_Thousand%22.html