Symphony No. 9, in D played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
(Leader, Paul Beard)
Conducted by Hermann Scherchen
Mahler wrote his last complete symphony in 1909; two years later he died, without having heard it performed. It is not only a moving persona] testament but a landmark in musical history, being one of the last glories of the romantic movement, and also a foreshadowing of certain trends in modern music. Despite this, however, it is rarely played: there have been only two or three previous performances in this country. There are four movements: Andante; L&ndler; Rondo, Burleske; and Adagio. Deryck Cooke