

Embrace Everything - The World of Gustav Mahler
Aaron Cohen
The Embrace Everything podcast series is an exploration and celebration of the music of Gustav Mahler. Throughout his life, Mahler insisted that music had to, literally, embrace everything. This makes his compositions unusually rich in what they offer both audience and musicians. Each season explores a different Mahler symphony and includes interviews with leading conductors, music scholars and musicians. Additionally, Mahler’s own words and those of his contemporaries are read by actors.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2025 • 16min
BONUS EPISODE: Looking Ahead to Season 5
Host and Producer Aaron Cohen shares excerpts of his early research into Mahler’s Fifth Symphony as he begins production on Season 5.Guests include David Bilger (former Principal Trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra, Stefan Dohr (Principal Horn, Berlin Philharmonic), Marina Mahler (Granddaughter of Gustav Mahler and President of the Mahler Foundation), Christopher Martin (Principal Trumpet, New York Philharmonic), Paul Merkelo (Principal Trumpet, Montreal Symphony Orchestra), and Michael Sachs (Principal Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgWATCH STEFAN DOHR PERFORM THE THIRD MOVEMENT OF MAHLER'S FIFTH SYMPHONY AS A SOLOIST:https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/work/1639-2BERLIN PHILHARMONIC DIGITAL CONCERT HALL:https://www.digitalconcerthall.com

Jul 12, 2025 • 14min
BONUS EPISODE: Seven Themes
Mahler said there are seven themes in the first movement of his Fourth Symphony. Pianist and composer D.D. Jackson identifies and contextualizes each of them for us.D.D. Jackson is an Emmy Award-winning composer, a jazz and classical pianist, and a music educator. Learn more about him at www.ddjackson.com.SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 12, 2025 • 25min
The Premiere of Mahler's Fourth Symphony
Mahler premiered his Fourth Symphony in 1901. In this episode we learn how audiences and critics responded to the new work.Starring 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, Jeff Spurgeon as the voice of “The Critic” and Dan Barnett as the voice of Jean Paul Richter.Guests include Bart Hermans (Manager ICT, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 11, 2025 • 35min
Movement Four - The Heavenly Life
Mahler composed the song “The Heavenly Life” in 1892, seven years before using it as the last movement of his Fourth Symphony. In this episode we discuss the meaning of the song and its lyrics.Starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Shanade Hernandez as the voice of Mahler’s Angel, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, Dominic Comperatore as the voice of Bruno Walter, Dan Barnett as the voice of Jean Paul Richter, Jack Berenholtz as the voice of Paul Bekker, Paul Hecht as the voice of Friedrich Nietzsche, P.J. Ochlan as the voice of Alfred Roller and David Rapkin as the voice of E.T.A. Hoffmann.Guests include William Henry Curry (Music Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra), Thomas Hampson (Foremost Baritone and Opera Star), Anthony McGill (Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic), Miriam Pastor Burgos (Solo English Horn, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam), Paul Fleming (Cornell University, Ithaca), Marilyn McCoy (Columbia University, New York), Joanna Neilly (Oxford University, England) and Fred Plotkin (Author and Lecturer).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEPISODE LINK:Season 4, Episode 4: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s4e4.htmlEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 9, 2025 • 32min
Movement Three - St. Ursula's Smile
In the third movement of his Fourth Symphony, Mahler introduces a different kind of humor, one that inspires both laughter and tears at the same time.Starring 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, Dan Barnett as the voice of Jean Paul Richter, Jack Berenholtz as the voice of Paul Bekker, and Billy Lyons as the voice of Arthur Schopenhauer.Guests include William Henry Curry (Music Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra), Kent Nagano (General Music Director, Hamburg State Opera), Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), D.D. Jackson (Jazz Pianist and Composer), Anthony McGill (Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic), Paul Merkelo (Principal Trumpet, Montreal Symphony Orchestra), Paul Fleming (Cornell University, Ithaca), Caroline Kita (Washington University in St. Louis), Ioannis Konstantakos (University of Athens, Greece), Marilyn McCoy (Columbia University, New York) and Joanna Neilly, (Oxford University, England).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEPISODE LINK:Season 4, Episode 3: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s4e3.htmlEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 8, 2025 • 26min
Movement Two - Freund Hein Strikes Up the Dance
In the second movement of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, we begin our journey toward heaven. But the path is going to take some surprising twists. Starring 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, and Dan Barnett as the voice of Jean Paul Richter.Guests include William Henry Curry (Music Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra), Marina Mahler (Granddaughter of Gustav Mahler and President of the Mahler Foundation), Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), Juliette Kang (First Associate Concertmaster, Philadelphia Orchestra), Anthony McGill (Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic), D.D. Jackson (Jazz Pianist and Composer), Marilyn McCoy (Columbia University, New York), and Joanna Neilly (Oxford University, England).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEPISODE LINK:Season 4, Episode 2: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s4e2.htmlEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 7, 2025 • 37min
Movement One - Mahler's Laughter
Mahler’s Fourth Symphony is his most playful composition, and one that he originally called a “Symphonic Humoresque.” In the first movement, we hear a side of Mahler we haven’t heard before.Starring 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, Dan Barnett as the voice of Jean Paul Richter, Robert Fass as the voice of Siegfried Lipiner, David Rapkin as the voice of E.T.A. Hoffmann, and P.J. Ochlan as the voice of Alfred Roller.Guests include Sir Simon Rattle (Chief Conductor, Bavarian Radio Symphony), Kent Nagano (General Music Director, Hamburg State Opera), William Henry Curry (Music Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra), Marina Mahler (Granddaughter of Gustav Mahler and President of the Mahler Foundation), Carter Brey (Principal Cello, New York Philharmonic), Paul Merkelo (Principal Trumpet, Montreal Symphony Orchestra), Emmanuel Pahud (Principal Flute, Berlin Philharmonic), Richard Woodhams (Former Principal Oboe, Philadelphia Orchestra), Cynthia Yeh (Principal Percussion, Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Paul Fleming (Cornell University, Ithaca), and Marilyn McCoy (Columbia University, New York).SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEPISODE LINK:Season 4, Episode 1: www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/s4e1.htmlEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITE:www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jul 3, 2025 • 10min
Special Episode: The Mahler Family Album
In this special episode, Marina Mahler talks about publishing a family photo album that belonged to her grandmother, Alma Mahler. You can see more details and order a copy here:https://www.themahlerfamily.com/

Jul 2, 2025 • 3min
Season 4 - "The Heavenly Life" - 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. Each episode is devoted to a movement of the symphony, followed by a concluding historical episode devoted to the reception of the Fourth Symphony when it premiered in 1901.Guests include conductors Sir Simon Rattle, Kent Nagano, and William Henry Curry; principal musicians of the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, and the Berlin Philharmonic; scholars from Columbia University, Cornell University, Oxford University and the University of Athens in Greece; and starring James Lurie as the voice of Gustav Mahler, Laura Gragtmans as the voice of Natalie Bauer-Lechner, and Dominic Comperatore as the voice of Bruno Walter.SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING WEBSITEwww.theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialBONUS CONTENT:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/extras.htmlPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7

Jan 30, 2024 • 28min
Special Episode: Mahler & the Maestro
Leonard Bernstein had an affinity for the music of Gustav Mahler, as seen in the climax of the Oscar-nominated 2023 Netflix film “Maestro.” In this special episode, 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 (Archivist for the New York Philharmonic).WATCH THIS EPISODE WITH ARCHIVAL IMAGES FROM THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rvceUsDnAWEBSITE LINK:Embrace Everything Website: www.theworldofgustavmahler.orgSUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=91819874SEE THE NEW EMBRACE EVERYTHING MUG ON OUR SUPPORT PAGE:https://www.theworldofgustavmahler.org/donate.htmlFOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, SUPPORT US ON FRACTURED ATLAS:https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/embrace-everything-the-world-of-gustav-mahlerContributions of any size are appreciated.For more information, contact us at support@theworldofgustavmahler.orgEMBRACE EVERYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldofgustavmahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofgustavmahler/X: https://x.com/worldofmahlerBluesky :https://bsky.app/profile/worldofmahler.bsky.socialPODCAST LINKS:Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3YU4tWnSpotify: spoti.fi/3TjHfb7