Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No.1 in D [54:55]
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop
rec. live, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, USA, 16-28 September
2008
NAXOS 8.572207 [54:55]
There are so many excellent recordings of Mahler 1 to choose from nowadays
I think it’s virtually impossible to come up with one or two stand out
versions. It’s been a very lucky symphony in the recording studio. People
will have their own views on how the work should be performed and from this
personal standpoint they develop their own allegiances. My list boils down
to three. Childhood memories linger so I still have a soft spot for the first
version I owned - the fine sounding Boult/LPO on Everest. Alongside this I
hold a torch for the razor-sharp and neurotic Solti/LSO (Decca) and the more
sober, meticulous Horenstein/LSO (Unicorn). Each is totally different in approach
but all are equally valid and compelling as interpretations. This new recording
from Baltimore has immaculate orchestral playing to commend it along with
a feeling of discovery. Alsop’s sound-world captures not only the hothouse
forte passages but also those quiet, chilling moments. Tension never slackens
for a moment and this is where the technique of using live concert performances
has certainly paid dividends.
Before talking further about the music I must immediately congratulate Tim
Handley on his fine recording. It’s smooth and clear without being bright
and it’s set back in a believable acoustic. At no point does it tire
the ear and the tonal depth is just right with the brass having presence without
dominating proceedings. For a live recording the absence of audience noise
is remarkable. Most importantly the string tone is full and sweet.
Moving onto the general style of the music-making, the string sound that Mr.
Handley has captured is crucial because Marin Alsop gives us an interpretation
that showcases the strings rather than blowing us away with loud percussion
and raucous untamed brass. It’s just about the most gentle, romantic
and beguiling Mahler 1 I’ve ever come across. Indeed, it’s so
far away from Solti’s approach that it sounds like a different piece.
With Alsop there are no histrionics and the playing is as smooth as silk.
It’s a really unusual, different approach and it’s delightful
to hear. The orchestra is in spectacular form.
The intense atmosphere is set immediately at the opening of the first movement
with woodwind, violin harmonics and horns in perfect proportion. The off-stage
trumpets really are off-stage, maybe too much so. You need to play this at
a relatively high volume to get the full impact. The passage that runs from
8:00 to 11:00 is as eerie as anyone could wish. The music hovers in stasis
- Havergal Brian-like, of all things! - as woodwinds, harp and cellos search
for a resolution. The bass drum is as menacing as you could ever imagine and
its deep, subtle thump is very realistic without the need for any artificial
boosting. This is spine-tingling, hushed playing of the first order. Once
the resolution arrives the music moves on to a controlled climax. The second
movement In Full Sail doesn’t set off in full sail at all. Instead
we are treated to a heavy-footed Klemperer-like ländler with a relaxed,
lilting central section beautifully delivered, especially by the string section.
It’s an unusual approach but rather compelling: by way of an analogy
think of Klemperer’s Beethoven Pastoral, third movement. At the
opening of Mahler’s third movement the Frère Jacques theme
is given by what sounds like the double bass section rather than by a single
double bass. It’s maybe one place where a little help from the engineer
might have helped. It’s set well back. This is a fairly minor point
in the scheme of things. Yet again, the strings really shine and Marin Alsop
relishes those schmaltzy moments, pulling the phrasing of the music around
in a musical and loving way. The pianissimo passages really tell and add electricity
to the interpretation. In the finale the brass section is finally given its
opportunity to step forward and they really deliver the goods. The trumpets,
tuba, braying horns and tam-tam are thrilling in their impact. There is no
distracting applause at the end of the symphony, thank goodness, and this
allows for a few seconds thought before realising what a cracking performance
has just taken place.
Even if you own multiple versions of Mahler 1, I urge you to give this one
a try. It’s refreshingly different and is supported by engineering of
superior quality. A fabulous CD.
John Whitmore
A really satisfying Mahler 1.
see also review by James Zychowicz
Masterwork Index: Mahler 1