#45 The Smell of Determination

Some people say how dark this symphony is. How darksome and obscure the themes are. It's not a melody to whistle, Benjamin Zandler argues.

I smell determination but no darkness. And I like to whistle the march–actually a lot. For me, this is likable music, trying to drag me to its inner world. Gergiev's reading is fast yet non troppo, contrasting. Not happy but definitely exciting.

Composer: Gustav Mahler
Work: Symphony No 6, I. Allegro energico, ma non troppo
Recording: London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev