This television essay from 1985 was written by Leonard Bernstein to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Gustav Mahler's birth. Recorded in Israel, Vienna and later in London, it is punctuated by biographical interludes and illustrated by musical examples drawn from the cycle of Mahler's works recorded by Bernstein. Bernstein talks, plays and conducts various orchestras (Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Wiener Philharmoniker) and soloists (Janet Baker, Christa Ludwig, Edith Mathis, Lucia Popp, Walton Groenroos) in performances spanning 17 years. Leonard Bernstein also examines the roots of Gustav Mahler's inspiration. The programme also features music from the nine symphonies, 'The Song of the Earth' and the 'Wunderhorn Cycle'.
Direction
Burton captures Bernstein's physical, almost erotic conducting.
Score
Seventeen years of Bernstein's Mahler recordings woven together.
Acting
Bernstein performs his own obsession—raw, theatrical, unforgettable.
Director
Humphrey Burton
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bernstein recorded the complete Mahler symphonies twice—once with the New York Philharmonic, once with various European orchestras—making this film a culmination of decades of obsession.
The title references Mahler's habit of obsessively drumming rhythms on tables, and Bernstein's own childhood nickname—both boys who couldn't stop making noise.
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![Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 [Paavo Järvi, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra] movie poster (2014)](https://image.themoviebrowser.com/movie/494668/poster.webp)
