Product Details

• Actors: Stockard Channing, Mignon Dunn, Thomas Hampson, Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra, Glen Cortese
• Directors: Jason Starr
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Video Artists Int'l
• DVD Release Date: March 30, 2004
• Run Time: 165 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001US7HC
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,395 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #3 in	Movies & TV > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > Educational
  #15 in	Movies & TV > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > By Composer > Mahler, Gustav

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Magnificent! What the Universe Tells Me is probably the deepest, most painstakingly detailed but also approachable attempt to decipher the inner dynamics of a complex work of art ever entrusted to any recording medium. And Mahler's Third Symphony deserves such careful. loving attention; one of the many commentators in this production calls it an attempt "to capture the human condition in a work of music." All the commentators contribute precious insights from their specialized disciplines to help viewers see this masterpiece whole. Besides Stockard Channing, the primary narrator, and Thomas Hampson, who discusses the music and sings a song whose melody is an important element in the symphony's structure, commentators include Henry Louis de la Grange, author of the definitive Mahler biography, and a fine array of musicologists, music historians, philosophers, and a theologian. A theologian? Yes; this symphony is, among other things, a vast theological stattement about man's place in the universe. Philosophers are needed, too, to explore Mahler's relations to Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. But they all do it in easy-to-understand terms.

Mahler gave six working titles to the symphony's movements: "Pan Awakes; Summer Marches In"; "What the Flowers in the Meadow Tell Me"; "What the Animals in the Forest Tell Me"; "What Humanity Tells Me"; "What the Angels Tell Me"; and "What Love Tells Me." These were left out when he published the symphony, but they give useful hints to the commentators and justify some breathtaking visuals shown with the music: landscapes, flowers, paintings and sculptures and churches.

The music, of course, is magnificent, and it is presented twice on two discs, once with voice-over commentary and once in a live, unedited performance. Special features include 11 "mini-documentaries" on subjects related to the music. --Joe McLellan

Product Description

WHAT THE UNIVERSE TELLS ME:UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF MAHLER'S THIRD SYMPHONY is a documentary that explores how philosophy, mythology and music combine in Mahler's Third Symphony to create an all-encompassing panoramic experience. From the volcanoes of the South Pacific to the Alpine peaks and meadows where Mahler composed, in WHAT THE UNIVERSE TELLS ME dramatic images from the natural world give shape to the Symphony's evolutionary saga. Performances combine with illustrative artwork, computer animation, historical film clips and the insights of world-renowned historians, philosophers and biographers. Thinkers such as Howard Gardner, Stan Brakhage and Catherine Keller join Mahler experts Henry Louis de La Grange, Donald Mitchell, Peter Franklin and Morten Solvik to introduce this masterpiece to new audiences and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its premiere.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The dvd exceeded my expectations, I love Mahler, June 14, 2004

By	Thomas Lapins (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Mahler's third symphony has long been a favorite of mine. The sixth movement alone makes the symphony a masterpiece. However, I who loves to read a good biography has never read one on Mahler. So when I heard on the dvd that Mahler had been influenced by Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and Wagner (his music, not his politics) I was now turned on to the man and not just the music.

Only Mahler and Wagner, and sometimes Rachmaninoff and Brahms, bring me to the depths of our essential truths through music. The dvd brought the man and his music alive. This must have been produced mostly for music students. Its quite serious, which I like, and technical, which I like. The photography throughout is quite lovely and adds to the mood.

Mahler would surely have been complimented by this documentary. It gives him his due. My insight to the third symphony as well as to the man who wrote those other magnificent symphonies will add to my enjoyment when listening to all his music.

The performance of the third is a nice bonus. I highly recommend this dvd to everyone interested not only in music, but in the deeper meaning of humanity, and those souls who bring the undercurrents of man and beyond to the surface. Enjoy!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Symphonic Documentary Ever!, April 2, 2004

By	Robert Lichter "Rob" (Islip Terrace, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Imagine a work so large, that it mirrors the entire world!"
Mahler's Third Symphony explores nothing less than the meaning of life and all existence. This film explores the musical symbolism and reveals some of the more obscure references in this gigantic work. Musicians and philosophers are given equal time to share their wealth of knowledge and interpretations of Mahler's Third, while gorgeous visuals illustrate the point.
The documentary is just wonderful and makes the viewer want to revisit the symphony in its unedited mastery. Well, that's why there's a second disc! Another DVD fully captures the Manhattan School of Music performing the entire symphony.
Between the two discs, the average Mahler fan will have loads of fun and the rabid Mahler fan will feel sated and satisfied. The person new to Mahler will be drawn into his world, and never wish to leave.

This is a perfect package; perfect music, perfect performaces, brilliant insights, beautiful visuals and a ton of extra materials!

Highly recommended!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A film I always hoped to see!, June 16, 2004

By	steve kalebic (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

"What the Universe Tells Me" succeeds where other Mahler movies have failed ("Bride of the Wind" and Ken Russell's "Mahler" come to mind) for two major reasons: 1-It respects Mahler's music. It does not try to popularize it by "dumbing down", but rather it elevates the viewer to create an opening and receptiveness to Mahler's genius. The film does not presume the audience is familiar with Mahler, but it does presume the audience is smart and values ideas. 2-The film itself is a masterpiece. It is visually stunning with a poetic script (narrated by Stockard Channing) and dramatic shape that reaches almost as deeply into our souls as Mahler's music. And then there's the music! A thrilling performance conducted by Glen Cortese weaves in and out with commentary from the world's leading Mahler experts such as Henry-Louis de La Grange, Peter Franklin and Morton Solvik. "What the Universe Tells Me" is an unprecedented combination of compelling drama with fascinating information. Music and philosophy come alive. What an accomplishment! Bravo to director Jason Starr!