Gustav Mahler

Symphony No. 7 E Minor

In his preface to the new critical edition of the 'Seventh Symphony', Dr. Reinhold Kubik (editor and vice-president of the International Gustav Mahler Society) reflects on the reception of Mahler and the discussion between the publisher and Erwin Ratz, the editor of the first critical edition, and sums up the following: 'In the meantime, the standard of other complete editions with their comprehensive critical apparatuses has found acceptance in the Mahler edition as well. Times have changed: Mahler now ranks among the most successful composers and has become important for the publishers. Objections have been removed. As a consequence, it was high time to do justice to this work by thoroughly preparing a new edition including a new musical typography and performance material that is consistent with the score. It is hard to believe but checking through the sources again uncovered a host of passages, mistakes even, that are in need of improvement.'The first performance of this edition took place at the Gasteig Philharmonic Hall on 8 March 2007 with the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mariss Jansons.