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Examining Mahler's creative flowering, from the 1890's to his untimely death at the age of 51, in 1911, including Symphonies 5 through 10, the Rückert songs and the "Song of the Earth". The episode also charts Mahler's mercurial career as a conductor, from the Vienna Opera (some called it the most prestigious music job in the world) to Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as his tempestuous relationship with his wife Alma. At Mahler's simple grave in Vienna's Grinzing cemetery, MTT explains why Mahler has so profoundly affected his own life.
Status
Released
Original Language
EN

A fictionalised exploration of Beethoven's life in his final days working on his Ninth Symphony. It is 1824. Beethoven is racing to finish his new symphony. However, it has been years since his last success and he is plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma. A copyist is urgently needed to help the composer. A fictional character is introduced in the form of a young conservatory student and aspiring composer named Anna Holtz. The mercurial Beethoven is skeptical that a woman might become involved in his masterpiece but slowly comes to trust in Anna's assistance and in the end becomes quite fond of her. By the time the piece is performed, her presence in his life is an absolute necessity. Her deep understanding of his work is such that she even corrects mistakes he has made, while her passionate personality opens a door into his private world.

As celebrated conductor Lydia Tár starts rehearsals for a career-defining symphony, the consequences of her past choices begin to echo in the present.