Symphonies Nos 1 and 2 in Full Score (Dover Orchestral Scores)

Because I have no life, I actually had fun editing this bar by bar to match a modern edition as I could see what Mahler changed over time. You probably won't. THIS IS BASED ON THE 1899 FIRST EDITION, NOT THE 1906 UNIVERSAL EDITION. It can still be studied musically and is fun to follow along with a recording but if you plan to conduct or just have really good ears, maybe stay away from this one and spend whatever extortionate price Universal Edition demands in your country. Or if you really are as sad as me, just edit the score but it will take a few days and more than one run through to make sure you get everything.Edit: I don't think the Dover editor even checked these scores properly. They claim the 1st Symphony revisions aren't that extensive but there are definitely a few for the first 2 movements (almost none for 3rd) and LOADS for 4th; I mean a huge amount of changes. The bit that just sounds like they made it up is when they say the 2nd Symphony has "more extensive" revisions. That is a lie. The 2nd Symphony was so easy to edit and get it up to modern standard compared to the mess that is the 1st. They probably just copied that note on the contents page from an outdated biography. They should have hired me because I bothered to check everything bar for bar unlike them!

How orchestral scores have improved in the sixty years since I last purchased one. Crystal clear, spacious, sturdy: what a difference! I commend it unreservedly to any amateur keen to analyse the intricacies of Mahler's complex orchestrations.

excellent quality

I freely admit to being a great fan of Dover Publications, so I'm biased straight away!Why do I like them? Their orchestral scores are superb; clearly printed and well-bound, with notes regarding original and revised editions.A definite 5 star rating, and all at a reasonable price compared to similar offerings from other publishers.

If you are a music student / conductor / librarian / professional musician then this reprint is completely useless as it is an old orchestration not used by professional orchestras anywhere in the world. The orchestration differences are relatively small - but significant enough to not want to waste a day or two finding and correcting them. The only solution (unfortunately) is to buy the much more expensive critical edition from Peters or Universal Edition for some symphonies, or to take a copy from your library. Unless you just want to study the approximate / first draft ...