Embrace Everything

Mahler returns!

Special Season
"The Rückert Lieder"

Launching on July 7th
Seven brand new episodes
Watch the trailer here

Tuesday, July 7
Episode 1: “Mahler and Rückert”
Episode 2: “I Breathed a Gentle Fragrance”

Thursday, July 9
Episode 3: “Do Not Look into My Songs”

Tuesday, July 14
Episode 4: “At Midnight”

Thursday, July 16
Episode 5: “I Am Lost to the World”

Tuesday, July 21
Episode 6: “If You Love for Beauty”

Thursday, July 23
Episode 7: “Paving the Way to Mahler’s Fifth Symphony”

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

Special Season
"The Rückert Lieder"

Listen to the "The Rückert Lieder" trailer here:

The podcast series Embrace Everything – The World of Gustav Mahler, a multi-season exploration of the composer’s complete symphonies, continues with a special season devoted to Mahler's Rückert Lieder.

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.

The special season focuses on Mahler’s Rückert Lieder, a collection of five songs based on texts by the poet Friedrich Rückert. These songs, composed in 1901 and 1902, are an essential link between Mahler's Fourth and Fifth symphonies.

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

The Rückert Lieder Special Season was made possible by generous support from The Kaplan Foundation, Bonnie Ward Simon, Michael Hindus and Lynne Withey, and all our subscribers on Patreon and Fractured Atlas. Read more »

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

Special Season
"The Rückert Lieder"

Episode 1: “Mahler and Rückert”

After a traumatic health scare in 1901, Gustav Mahler found consolation in the words of poet Friedrich Rückert.

Episode 2: “I Breathed a Gentle Fragrance”

Gustav Mahler’s song “I Breathed a Gentle Fragrance” endeavors to capture the intoxicating smell of the Linden tree.

Episode 3: “Do Not Look into My Songs”

One of Friedrich Rückert’s poems argues for privacy during the creative process.

Episode 4: “At Midnight”

In Friedrich Ruckert’s poem “At Midnight,” Gustav Mahler found the perfect lyrics to pair with his haunting score.

Episode 5: “I Am Lost to the World”

“I Am Lost to the World” is widely considered Gustav Mahler’s greatest song.

Episode 6: “If You Love for Beauty”

The only love song Gustav Mahler ever wrote was “If You Love for Beauty.”

Episode 7: “Paving the Way to Mahler’s Fifth Symphony”

“The Rückert Lieder” were an integral milestone on Gustav Mahler’s journey to his Fifth Symphony.

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Cast of The Rückert-Lieder

Dramatic Cast:
• James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler
• Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner
• Dominic Comperatore as the voice of Bruno Walter
• Jack Berenholtz as the voice of Paul Bekker

Commentary:
• Thomas Hampson, Foremost Baritone & Opera Star
• Marilyn McCoy, Columbia University

Piano embellishments:
• D.D. Jackson, Jazz and Classical Pianist & Emmy-winning Composer

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 »

Season Three - Mahler's Third Symphony

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. Listen here »

Season Four - Mahler's Fourth Symphony

Season 4 focuses on Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in G major (1899-1900), which charts the journey of the soul from its earthly life to a heavenly one. Listen here »