Rating: 
Summary: Best Symphonic Documentary Ever!
Review: "Imagine a work so large, that it mirrors the entire universe!"
Mahler's Third Symphony explores nothing less than the meaning of life and all existence. This film explores the musical symbolism and reveals some of the more obscure references in this gigantic work. Musicians and philosophers are given equal time to share their wealth of knowledge and interpretations of Mahler's Third, while gorgeous visuals illustrate the point.
The documentary is just wonderful and makes the viewer want to revisit the symphony in its unedited mastery. Well, that's why there's a second disc! Another DVD fully captures the Manhattan School of Music performing the entire symphony.
Between the two discs, the average Mahler fan will have loads of fun and the rabid Mahler fan will feel sated and satisfied. The person new to Mahler will be drawn into his world, and never wish to leave.This is a perfect package; perfect music, perfect performaces, brilliant insights, beautiful visuals and a ton of extra materials! Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Best Symphonic Documentary Ever!
Review: "Imagine a work so large, that it mirrors the entire world!"
Mahler's Third Symphony explores nothing less than the meaning of life and all existence. This film explores the musical symbolism and reveals some of the more obscure references in this gigantic work. Musicians and philosophers are given equal time to share their wealth of knowledge and interpretations of Mahler's Third, while gorgeous visuals illustrate the point.
The documentary is just wonderful and makes the viewer want to revisit the symphony in its unedited mastery. Well, that's why there's a second disc! Another DVD fully captures the Manhattan School of Music performing the entire symphony.
Between the two discs, the average Mahler fan will have loads of fun and the rabid Mahler fan will feel sated and satisfied. The person new to Mahler will be drawn into his world, and never wish to leave. This is a perfect package; perfect music, perfect performaces, brilliant insights, beautiful visuals and a ton of extra materials! Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A film I always hoped to see!
Review: "What the Universe Tells Me" succeeds where other Mahler movies have failed ("Bride of the Wind" and Ken Russell's "Mahler" come to mind) for two major reasons: 1-It respects Mahler's music. It does not try to popularize it by "dumbing down", but rather it elevates the viewer to create an opening and receptiveness to Mahler's genius. The film does not presume the audience is familiar with Mahler, but it does presume the audience is smart and values ideas. 2-The film itself is a masterpiece. It is visually stunning with a poetic script (narrated by Stockard Channing) and dramatic shape that reaches almost as deeply into our souls as Mahler's music. And then there's the music! A thrilling performance conducted by Glen Cortese weaves in and out with commentary from the world's leading Mahler experts such as Henry-Louis de La Grange, Peter Franklin and Morton Solvik. "What the Universe Tells Me" is an unprecedented combination of compelling drama with fascinating information. Music and philosophy come alive. What an accomplishment! Bravo to director Jason Starr!
Rating:
Summary: A film I always hoped to see!
Review: "What the Universe Tells Me" succeeds where other Mahler movies have failed ("Bride of the Wind" and Ken Russell's "Mahler" come to mind) for two major reasons: 1-It respects Mahler's music. It does not try to popularize it by "dumbing down", but rather it elevates the viewer to create an opening and receptiveness to Mahler's genius. The film does not presume the audience is familiar with Mahler, but it does presume the audience is smart and values ideas. 2-The film itself is a masterpiece. It is visually stunning with a poetic script (narrated by Stockard Channing) and dramatic shape that reaches almost as deeply into our souls as Mahler's music. And then there's the music! A thrilling performance conducted by Glen Cortese weaves in and out with commentary from the world's leading Mahler experts such as Henry-Louis de La Grange, Peter Franklin and Morton Solvik. "What the Universe Tells Me" is an unprecedented combination of compelling drama with fascinating information. Music and philosophy come alive. What an accomplishment! Bravo to director Jason Starr!
Rating:
Summary: "Desert Island Must"
Review: For me, this is very personal.
You've probably heard a variation of the question, "If there was just one piece of music you could have if you were trapped on a deserted island, what would it be?"
For me, it is easily this 2 disc DVD set.
As a small child, I often wondered about the "Meaning of Life;" why there was suffering and death; was there life after death? Then, I discovered Mahler, and found that he had been troubled by the same questions. Yes, believe it or not, Mahler's Third Symphony attempts nothing less than to answer such questions.
In addition to the only complete recording on DVD of Mahler's Third on one of the discs, the other disc includes commentaries by historians, philosophers, biographers, and even, appropriately, a theologian. There are quotes from Mahler and some of the philosophers he admired, and nature photography which parallels the musical ideas. There are even excellent comments by a filmaker, and by a Harvard theorist of multiple intelligences, who suggests that, as Mahler was gifted in musical areas, it is quite natural that he would try to explain the meaning of the universe through his musical language.
So here's what you get:
a complete DVD recording of Mahler's Third Symphony
and on another disc:
a diverse group of experts who walk you through each movement
and:
beautiful nature photography to help show what Mahler was talking about
and:
a series of mini-documentaries--further commentaries by biographers, historians, philosophers, and theologians, for even greater detail, if you want it.
If you love Mahler, you'll swear this was made especially for you.
If you just like beautiful music, you'll find it.
For me, it's my desert island must!
Rating:
Summary: mahler masterpiece given finally getting recognized
Review: I am amazed at the presentation of documentary of mahler's third symphony. so put together, so organized, and so much detail, that new things appear I never before have seen. the sound quality is awesome when the tv hooked up to dolby stereo system. I recommend this dvd to any mahlerist or newcomer to mahler in one of it's finest forms. excellent!
Rating:
Summary: mahler masterpiece given finally getting recognized
Review: I am amazed at the presentation of documentary of mahler's third symphony. so put together, so organized, and so much detail, that new things appear I never before have seen. the sound quality is awesome when the tv hooked up to dolby stereo system. I recommend this dvd to any mahlerist or newcomer to mahler in one of it's finest forms. excellent!
Rating:
Summary: It Just Does Not Get Any Better Than This!
Review: I've been a dedicated student of Mahler's music for decades. It just doesn't get better than this DVD. Excellent orchestra with musicians that are worried about the music; not about being on camera. And the second CD forces the listener/viewer to think and ponder.
The reviews were right, this is a must purchase for the Mahler nation.
Rating:
Summary: The dvd exceeded my expectations, I love Mahler
Review: Mahler's third symphony has long been a favorite of mine. The sixth movement alone makes the symphony a masterpiece. However, I who loves to read a good biography has never read one on Mahler. So when I heard on the dvd that Mahler had been influenced by Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and Wagner (his music, not his politics) I was now turned on to the man and not just the music. Only Mahler and Wagner, and sometimes Rachmaninoff and Brahms, bring me to the depths of our essential truths through music. The dvd brought the man and his music alive. This must have been produced mostly for music students. Its quite serious, which I like, and technical, which I like. The photography throughout is quite lovely and adds to the mood. Mahler would surely have been complimented by this documentary. It gives him his due. My insight to the third symphony as well as to the man who wrote those other magnificent symphonies will add to my enjoyment when listening to all his music. The performance of the third is a nice bonus. I highly recommend this dvd to everyone interested not only in music, but in the deeper meaning of humanity, and those souls who bring the undercurrents of man and beyond to the surface. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent Mass written by the only God, Gustav Mahler
Review: The performance is perfect.
The eternal universe, unable to solve its inner chaos, generated a God (Gustav Mahler), that started a wave to make the universe perfect.
The humanitarian message of his masterpieces, turn the whole bible a dehumanising book. Any theory against our ephemeral nature, stems from the fear of death, and is inherently coward. The great thing is to accept one's nature, and live according to it.
These people of the Manhattan School of Music are all very professional. Glen Cortese has produced an outstanding version.
The Lady Mignon Dunn is not from this planet. I guess she is a Goddess. She is a Diamond in the centre of the Riverside Church.
It is good to know that in the middle of all the sad chaos of our world, people like these exist, honouring the work of God (Gustav Mahler).
Gustav will eventually come back (I am his prophet), and helped by Dimitri Shostakovich and Peter Tchaikovsky, will get rid of all the suffering that covers the surface of this planet.
I recommend this dvd to all the members of the only true humble religion: Mahlerianity.
Only the truth (Mahler's symphonies) will make you free. Albeit, some of his Lieds can also help you.
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