.
Barbirolli's Mahler was a labour of love and one can only recall his justly
legendary recordings of the Fifth and Ninth symphonies to assert that fact.
However, I am extremely enthusiastic about this incredible recording of a
rare Hallé First, this is well-nigh perfectionism that recalls the
white heat of Bernstein at his best (1967/CBS, 1985/DG). Barbirolli's subtly
mysterious opening is haunting, a perfect expression of some romantic Mahlerian
forest glade. As the movement builds up in intensity, one is almost mesmerized
by the frightening tension that the Hallé strings whip up married
to some full throated brass halloos that are really worth the price of the
disc alone!
In the Second Movement, Barbirolli's slow measured tempo is well-nigh ideal
with the heady and intoxicating atmosphere of the Viennese woods perfectly
re-created, indeed I was almost entranced in a similar way by only Walter
and Mitropoulos beforehand. Crashing and cajoling his way through the enigmatic
Third Movement, Barbirolli and his orchestra almost don the hats and coats
of Austrian mountaineers, such is their involvement. The Finale is also quite
special, twenty minutes of sheer unaldurated beauty culminating in that
hair-raising coda of joy and triumph. The crashing opening bars are also
vivid in their intensity, this really made me recall an old radio programme
about local crimes of the past which used this very music as its signature
tune.
There are warts and imperfections in the playing, but I can guarantee you
that you will be emotionally drained after listening to such Mahlerian
magnificence. One must remember that this was 1957 and with a Pye recording
as clean as a whistle, no-one could wish for such a tremendous reissue. Dutton
add Barbirolli's late 1969 release of Purcell's Elizabethan Suite, a pot-pourri
of opulence and glorious Imperialistic majesty. It is instructive to compare
this with the earlier 1930's Victor recording also available on Dutton.
Here the melodies are more expansive, more drawn out, it sometimes
seems that the ageing and ill conductor was almost wringing out the last
drops out of this sublime music. As usual the presentation of these Barbirolli
Society CD's is absolutely impeccable and I must urge you to acquire the
disc on the incredible strengths of the Mahler, surely a performance of a
lifetime.
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
Hallé
Orchestra Sir John Barbirolli.
