Embrace Everything

Mahler & the Maestro

Leonard Bernstein had an affinity for the music of Gustav Mahler, as seen in the climax of the Oscar-nominated 2023 film “Maestro.” In this special episode of Embrace Everything, we explore what the two musicians had in common, and learn how Bernstein brought Mahler back into the spotlight in the 1960s. Guests include Jamie Bernstein (Leonard Bernstein's daughter) and Gabe Smith (New York Philharmonic Director of Archives and Exhibitions). Special thanks to the New York Philharmonic for adding archival images to accompany the audio.

"...deftly combining music, close observation, stories, and readings of Mahler’s letters in a buoyant style..." - The New Yorker

Season Three
"My Joyful Science"
Mahler's Third Symphony

Listen to the Season 3 trailer here:

The podcast series Embrace Everything – The World of Gustav Mahler, a multi-season exploration of the composer’s complete symphonies, continues with Symphony No. 3.

The award-winning, chart-topping Embrace Everything podcast series was created and is hosted by radio producer Aaron Cohen. It explores and celebrates the music of Gustav Mahler (1860–1911) by taking a journey through his symphonies. Using interviews with leading Mahler interpreters and scholars, readings from the letters of Mahler and his contemporaries, commentary from Mr. Cohen, and the sounds of the symphonies themselves, each season of the series guides listeners through one of these landmark works in the orchestral repertoire.

Season 3, consisting of six episodes, was released on all major streaming platforms in January 2023. A radio version of Season 3 premiered on stations in July.

Season 3 focuses on Mahler’s Third Symphony in D minor (1895-1896), exploring Mahler’s unique perspective on the different orders of being, from lifeless matter to highest consciousness.

Stream the full episodes below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Season 3 of Embrace Everything – The World of Gustav Mahler was made possible by a generous grant from the Kaplan Foundation Read more »

" Embrace Everything remains a must-hear for concertgoers and homebodies alike." - Musical America

Season Three
Mahler's Third Symphony

Episode 1 – Pan Awakes and Summer Marches In

Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony is the story of creation, with each movement a higher rung on the ladder of consciousness. Read more »

Episode 2 – What the Flowers in the Meadow Tell Me

In the second movement of his Third Symphony, Gustav Mahler begins the upward journey on the ladder of consciousness. Read more »

Episode 3 – What the Animals in the Forest Tell Me

Gustav Mahler made animals the next step upward on his ladder of consciousness in the third movement of his Third Symphony. Read more »

Episode 4 – What Humanity Tells Me

In the fourth movement of his Third Symphony, Gustav Mahler’s ladder of consciousness reaches humanity. Read more »

Episode 5 – What the Angels Tell Me

Angels are the next step on Gustav Mahler’s ladder of consciousness. Read more »

Episode 6 – What Love Tells Me

In the sixth and final movement of Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony, he reaches the top rung on his ladder of consciousness. Read more »

The Cast of Season 3

• James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler.
• Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche.
• Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Mahler’s friend and confidante Natalie Bauer-Lechner.
• Robert Fass as the voice of Mahler’s friend Siegfried Lipiner.
• Billy Lyons as the voice of Arthur Schopenhauer.
• Gary Tiedemann as the voice of Gustav Theodor Fechner.

Conductors:
• Kent Nagano, General Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera, and Chief Conductor of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
• Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, Conductor Laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director Laureate of the New World Symphony

Musicians:
• Andrew Bain, Principal Horn, Los Angeles Philharmonic
• Carter Brey, Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic
• James Burton, Choral Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Robert Chen, Concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Eamonn Greiner, Chorister, Saint Paul Boys Choir, Boston
• Bill Hudgins, Principal Clarinet, Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Megan and Hannah Laurence, Choristers, Boston Symphony Orchestra Children’s Chorus
• Christopher Martin, Principal Trumpet, New York Philharmonic
• Albrecht Mayer, Principal Oboe, Berlin Philharmonic
• Toby Oft, Principal Trombone, Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Dominic Seldis, Principal Bass, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam

Music scholars:
• Caroline Kita, Washington University in St. Louis
• Marilyn McCoy, Columbia University, New York

Literature scholars:
• Ioannis Konstantakos, University of Athens, Greece
• Joanna Neilly, Oxford University

Season 3 includes a special performance by the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet, with music arranged by D.D. Jackson.

Prior Seasons

Season One - Mahler's First Symphony

Season 1 focuses on Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major (1888), taking listeners back to the work’s origins in the street songs, folk tunes, and bugle calls of Mahler’s childhood. Listen here »

Season Two - Mahler's Second Symphony

Season 2 focuses on Mahler’s Second Symphony in C minor (1888-1894), delving into Mahler’s gigantic musical exploration of life, death, and what lies beyond. Listen here »