 |
The best Mahler symphony Nr. 1…? Let’s get this one first out of the way: This is no Mahler’s ‘Titan’ show-case recording the way DGG Bernstein Concertgebouw, pretended it to be and failed miserable – this one with the Israel philharmonic Orchestra and Zubin Mehta is a marvel. One should be made aware of the fact that the Israeli Philharmonic (where each of its members is said to be a virtuoso and as a team they all pull it best together), this orchestra has long affiliation with Mahler scores and is said to be one of the top interpreters of this composer. The Israel Philharmonic recorded this work earlier in the fifties for EMI-Columbia, with then, one of the greatest interpreters of Mahler, Paul Kletzki, and in 1974 recorded this work for Decca with Mehta conducting. Also - the Israel Philharmonic rendered Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” with Christa Ludwig and Z. Mehta, as one of the most heart-breaking, deep-emotional performances ever (CBS recording made in the seventies). What is obvious on this CD is the fluent reading, the ease of pronouncing the long legatos and moods and the enormous outbreaks into the forte without that the sound collapse on itself. (This orchestra is known for its ability to play louder and louder and to float the sound without getting it ugly)… True – the orchestral sound is taken farther away from the microphones and at a slightly lower volume which robs the playback from a certain ‘bloom’. Taking the sound from a more distanced spot was deliberate and calculated: it was made so in order to overcome the acoustical limitation of the orchestra’s environment. Yes – the Israel Philharmonic deserves a better acoustically, stable concert hall than the Frederick Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, and a better hall then the “National-Buildings” in Jerusalem where this recording was made. Never the less, this recording cuts through the acoustical limitations and delivers the goods. Is this CD the best Mahler’s Titan…? It certainly is at the top if one disregards that it is not a show-case of a recording…Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
