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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. This wouldn’t be my first choice for a Mahler six recording, but it would make a good supplement for those days when you want to hear something truly grim (yet, tonal). 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. But, regarding the Sixth, I had the rare good fortune to see Barbirolli conduct Mahler live (Symphony No. 9) shortly before his death. It was a sublime experience, actually better than his estimable recording of the same work. His Sixth is, in my opinion, one of the great recorded musical statements of the 20th Century. I have lived with the recording in question here for some four decades. It is not the only great recording of Mahler’s Symphony. However, there is absolutely no question in my mind that it belongs in every music lover’s library, and should be basic recorded repertoire for Mahlerians everywhere. It is heart-wrenchingly magnificent. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Richard Strauss and his Ein Heldenleben recorded with London Symphony Orchestra. This gorgeous symphonic poem, as you know, is an autobiographical work of composer, so, The Hero (of course) is himself and his enemies are music critics (of course!). The performance is excellent, the violin solo (imagine that Composer’s Wife) is amazing and the solo of E-flat Trumpet (in 4th movement) is very good. The War Scene is terrific, amazing. And, I think, the most impressive movement of this work is the last movement – The Retreat of Hero and his Death. In last seconds, there is a noble finale -crescendo to reach to Fortissimo and then a diminuendo to reach to Pianissimo- of all winds, which tells that, the last breath and the death with peace of mind. Mahler’s Sixth Symphony called “Tragic” recorded with New Philharmonia Orchestra. This performance is very majestic, not so flamboyant as Bernstein, but this reading is powerful and impressive. Real Mahlerians should have this recording, I think. Even so this symphony sounds like a sountrack of a horror film! As you know, Sixth Symphony is Mahler’s most pessimist work and however written in his happiest years of his life (1904). Because, Mahler married to Alma Schindler, and they had a new girl, named Maria. Even so, this is a propethic work (!). Mahler, used hammer blows (in last movement) explains that his three Fate strokes which will to be in next years of his life. And these Fate strokes are: his daughter’s sudden death in 1907 (at age 4!), his departure from Vienna Opera Court and his heart disease!… And then, the composer used cowbells in offstage, too. This explains the Alpine landscapes that impressed Mahler, and extreme loneliness and a mystic atmosphere. Even so, this is only symphony which finishes with dark atmosphere, not with a glory scene. And the last sudden exploding chord of music (in last seconds) usually scares me. The music finishes like a iron curtain falls in scene… The orchestra is huge (as usual in Mahler): 5 flutists, 5 oboists, 5 clarinettists, 5 basoonsists, 8 horns, 6 trumpets, 4 trombones and a tuba, huge percussion includes bells, gong, hammer, 2 set timpani, 2 harps, celesta and about 50 – 60 strings. The 1st movement begins like a Nazi March! This “risoluto” and tragic opening continues with a apassionata “Alma” theme, so this movement has a full of drammatic atmosphere. Especially the moments between durations 15″00 – 17″00, the Alma theme comes again and this passage is may be the most romantic moments of whole symphony, you can weep when listen it… The 2nd movement is played as Andante, as Mahler himself decided later to choice as 2nd movement, not as a Scherzo. It is peaceful music and portrays a illusionary happiness. The 3rd movement is Scherzo, and it is I think not a Scherzo, but a “Dance of Death”, with devil’s laughters, but in Trio section, describes the games of children, but in finish section there is a drammatic explosion and this game melody sounds now when goes away and dying in a whimper… The amazing Finale is the prophetic movement. It begins as a nightmare – a silent terror, and then continues with a heroic-tragic march. This march portraits the hero (Mahler), but then the three hammer blows (by the way, in that rec. the Hammer Blows are really earth-shattering!), and then defeat and abandons himself to his doom… This 2-CD set is marvellous. They are definitve readings and a must have for all Mahlerians and Straussians, and other music lovers. Highly recommended. |
slow; relentless; well played; well recorded
Magnificent