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Mahler Symphony No. 6

GUSTAV MAHLER: Symphony No. 6 in A minor

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra · Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor

Title

Playing time

1 - I Allegro energico, ma non troppo
23:55

2 - II Scherzo. Wuchtig
12:04

3 - III Andante moderato
13:34

4 - IV Finale. Allegro moderato
30:24

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Jukka-Pekka Saraste releases his very first Mahler symphony with this recording. The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra continues the successful series of Mahler with their chief conductor.

Gustav Mahler made many comments to the effect that his Sixth Symphony should be understood as a highly personal, even autobiographical work. It was composed in the summers of 1903 and 1904, one of the happiest times of his life - yet he considered the Sixth his "Tragic Symphony". Even in such company as Mahler"s production, the Sixth is probably the greatest symphony, qua symphony, of them all.

Fate and superstition

What is most disturbing about the Sixth is its quality of objectivity: the way it seems to tell us that this is simply the way the world goes, and mostly it goes for ill. When Mahler composed the symphony he originally placed the scherzo second and the Andante moderato third, but remained unsure if this was the most effective order of movements. After trying both possible orders in some of his early performances he decided the Andante should come second, the scherzo third. He also - apparently from superstitious fear that it would announce his own death - removed the third hammer-blow, and the symphony was published in this form in 1906. However in 1910 he went back on his second thoughts and declared his intention to restore the third hammer-blow and return to the original order of the movements, as reflected in this recording.

Attempted withdrawal

The Andante moderato can justly be claimed as one of Mahler"s most exquisite slow movements. Though not without its darker elements, it stands out from the rest of the symphony by reason of its unforced lyricism, its melodic grace and its generally calm, warm atmosphere. Here we hear again the voice of Mahler the ecstatic song-writer, and experience an attempted withdrawal from the cares of the world.

Mahler and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

This is the fifth release of Mahler symphonies from OPO. The recording on this release was done during concerts in March 2010. Saraste and OPO are doing concerts in Europe this season with Mahler, and also perform his symphonies nos. 9, 4 and 8 in this and the coming season.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste Gustav Mahler

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Release:

15.11.2010
EAN:

7033662013166
Catalog Number:

PSC1316
Price Category:

1CDK

Orchestral

Standards have slipped not one iota. [Sunday Times]

“- Dette, tenker jeg, er Mahler på sitt beste - og Saraste og Oslo-Filharmonien også. [5 Ståle Wikshåland / Dagbladet]“

Dice 5

“- [Saraste] inherited a band that, under Jansons, had become one of the finest in Europe. Standards have slipped not one iota. He negotiates the forbidding psychological musical terrain of this symphony with the same mix of passion, flair and intelligence Jansons showed, the impact of the work magnified by a sure grasp of its sprawling forms, clarity of inner detail and well-judged tempi. [4 stars Stephen Pettitt / Sunday Times]“

Dice 5

“- Die saubere Orchestrerleistung und die gute Aufnahmequalität machen das komplexe Klanggeschehen - auch im gewaltigen Finale - so durchhörbar wie möglich. [Peter T. Köster / Fono Forum]“

Dice 5

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