Veni! Veni Creator Spiritus! Listening to Mahler Symphony No. 8

[Rabrrrrrr]

Had the pleasure of hearing it performed at Carnegie hall way back in '92. They had the choirs filling the stage, and the first five or so rows of the concert hall, plus the ends of all the balconies...

It was great!

Not my favorite Mahler piece, but damned impressive.

[nickinSTL]

1. I don't think I know that piece

I may have to check it out.

I'm listening to Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony right now.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. They call it the "Symphony of a Thousand" because it takes

almost that many to perform it.

2 full choirs, 1 children's choir, and an extra-large orchestra (I think they had about 170 in the orchestra when I saw it). Plus 8 or 9 vocal soloists, and a battalion of off-stage instruments (I had one of the off-stage brass choirs of 8-10 right behind me in the balcony).

[nickinSTL]

3. Wow...big.

I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

I've switched to Beethoven's 5th Symphony now. :D

[AllegroRondo]

4. Awesome piece

and rarely done live because of the sheer number of people required.

Right up there with "Carmina Burana"

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Carmina Burana is a blast to sing!

Used to sing it on Fat Tuesday at the seminary.

The conductor would bring in a bottle of whiskey, or a crate of beer, and let us get all loosened up and unwound before singing.