Gustav Mahler – The Symphonies
Text-Critical. Practice-Oriented. Completely Available for Purchase.
“A symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything.”
— Gustav Mahler (conversation with Jean Sibelius, Helsinki, 1907)
Mahler’s Symphonies in the
Score and Orchestral Library
“… my time will come!”
Around 130 years ago, Gustav Mahler began his career in Leipzig as one of the most significant conductors of his time and embarked on his path as one of the greatest symphonists in music history. At the same time, Breitkopf & Härtel began building its score and orchestral library.
Despite Mahler’s efforts to secure a publishing partnership, no collaboration came about at the time. All the more reason for us to announce—on the occasion of our 300th anniversary as a publishing house—the launch of one of our most ambitious projects to date: the publication of all of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies.
Sample Pages:
Mahler – The Symphonies
- All Mahler symphonies published for the first time by a single publisher
- Consistent formal and editorial criteria throughout
- Generous format (scores and parts 27 × 36 cm) with optimal staff size (7.5 mm)
- Contemporary engraving for excellent readability and clarity
- Ample space for annotations in the parts
- Optimised practicality with carefully planned page turns and clear orientation
- Correction of all errors and inconsistencies found in the previous Critical Complete Edition
- Transparent documentation of all deviations in the revision report
- Includes guidance on performance-related considerations
Subscription
Your Benefits at a Glance
The volumes of the new edition “Gustav Mahler – The Symphonies” may be purchased either individually or as part of the complete edition, offering attractive subscription benefits.
Choice of three subscription models:
- Subscription to all scores of the edition in a high-quality linen binding with a 20 % discount on the respective retail price
- Subscription to all orchestral parts as a complete set with a 15 % discount on the respective retail price
- Subscription to all conductors’ scores in a flexible binding plus all orchestral parts as a complete set with a 20 % discount on the respective retail price
To place an order for your preferred subscription model, please use the enclosed order form .
Frequently Asked
Questions
When will each symphony be published?
- Symphonic movement “Blumine” from Symphony No. 1: published March 2019
- Symphony No. 1: published March 2019
- Symphony No. 4: published January 2020
- Symphony No. 3: published March 2021
- The Song of the Earth: published June 2022
- Symphony No. 9: published January 2024
- Symphony No. 5: published February 2025
- Symphony No. 6: to be published in the first half of 2026
The previous publication rhythm – at least one symphony per year – will be continued.
Are study editions planned?
In principle, yes. For the time being, however, the focus is entirely on publishing the performance materials scheduled in the editorial plan.
Are the editions also available for rental?
Yes. We will be happy to provide a quotation on request.
Where can I find information on instrumentation and duration?
Information on instrumentation and duration is clearly summarized on a separate page in the score. If the edition has already been published, you will also find further details on our website.
What is included in the set of orchestral parts?
The set includes all orchestral parts required for performance. Each set contains string parts in quantities of 10.9.8.7.6 and the complete wind parts, including additional parts for offstage instruments and instrumental reinforcement.
Can additional individual parts be ordered?
Yes, additional string parts can be ordered.
Do the string parts include bowings?
No. Bowings are orchestra-specific and do not belong in a critical edition.
Why are there bowings and fingerings in the edition?
Occasional bowings and fingerings originate from the sources. They represent specific interpretative indications by the composer.
Percussion parts: individual parts or percussion score?
For better orientation, a consolidated presentation of the percussion parts in a percussion score is preferred (as, for example, in Symphony No. 1). One copy per player is included in the set. The timpani have a separate part. If too many individual systems cause page-turning problems, individual and/or group parts are provided.
Which sources is the edition based on?
All accessible surviving authentic sources are consulted for the editions. The respective revision report provides detailed information.
No Urtext logo – yet still a critical edition?
Yes. The musical text is established on the basis of the sources using critical methods. Further information can be found in the revision report. The Urtext logo is deliberately omitted to avoid misunderstandings.
Differences compared with the Critical Complete Edition?
- All volumes published for the first time by a single publisher, following uniform criteria.
- Larger format (27 × 36 cm), larger staff size (7.5 mm), modern engraving – improved readability and space.
- Improved practicality of the parts (page turns, orientation).
- Errors and inconsistencies of the Critical Complete Edition corrected.
- Deviations from sources / the Critical Complete Edition documented in the revision report.
Is there a sample available?
Yes. You will find our sample pages for all symphonies further up on this page.
How reliable is the edition (printing errors)?
Multiple rounds of proofreading by an experienced team ensure a high level of reliability. Nevertheless: nobody is perfect!
What should I do if I discover a printing error?
The editorial department is grateful for any notification. Errors will be corrected at the latest in the next printing.