To put it very briefly, their orchestrations deriving from their manner of thematic composition are very different. Strauss, more of a Wagnerian with (relatively) simple broad themes. Mahler is often though of as composing chamber music for his large orchestra.
Mahler vs. Strauss
I find that the sound picture of Mahler’s orchestration is more effectively produced in stereo recording than that of Richard Strauss. I think both are superlative orchestrators, but somehow Mahler’s symphonies image better than Strauss’s tone poems on my system. They seem to be fuller, fill the sound stage more effectively, and are easier to reproduce. Not that in any way they sound “bad.” They sound fine, but Mahler’s orchestration seems more effective.
Does anyone else have that impression?
Does anyone else have that impression?