New Critical Edition by The International Gustav Mahler society
In his preface to the new critical edition of the 'Seventh Symphony', Dr. Reinhold Kubik (editor and vice-president of the International Gustav Mahler Society) reflects on the reception of Mahler and the discussion between the publisher and Erwin Ratz, the editor of the first critical edition:
'The standard of other complete editions with their comprehensive critical apparatuses has found acceptance in the Mahler edition as well. Times have changed: Mahler now ranks among the most successful composers and has become important for the publishers. Objections have been removed. As a consequence, it was high time to do justice to this work by thoroughly preparing a new edition including a new musical typography and performance material that is consistent with the score. It is hard to believe but checking through the sources again uncovered a host of passages, mistakes even, that are in need of improvement.'
The first performance of this edition took place at the Gasteig Philharmonic Hall on 8 March 2007 with the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mariss Jansons.
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