Customer Reviews

Mahler: Symphony No 2 (Resurrection )

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A swift survey of the many reviews of this version of Mahler's mighty "Resurrection" symphony reveals a bewildering range of responses, utterly unhelpful to anyone looking for guidance in how to pick a recording. The truth is that there are many successful recordings of this work out there, and many will give satisfaction, be it Mehta, Solti, Bernstein or - my favourites - either of the two Klemperer versons, one live, one studio, but this is a worthy addition.

To dispense with the more obvious absurdities I have read: first, the sound. Some complain of too great a dynamic range; I do not have the best equipment but neither do I play these discs on cheap tat, and to my ears the recording quality is incomparably spacious, full, rich and detailed. It strikes me that it's sometimes the same reviewers who recommend harsh, faded historical recordings who then take a self-aggrandising delight in finding imaginary flaws in a wonderful modern version such as this. Secondly, the quality of orchestral playing: you will read cutting criticism of the CBSO - that they are "ragged" and "amateur". Complete rubbish. I heard them many times when I lived in the Midlands, and they were very fine indeed - as they are here. Thirdly, we hear that Rattle is self-consciously "arty" and deliberately, perversely "different". Well, I note that it's the same reviewers who moan elsewhere about the bland, homogenous state of modern conducting who have taken umbrage that Rattle has imposed a clear interpretation upon the music. You can't have it both ways and Rattle is to be commended for having an identifiable, individual overview of the work, even if you don't like it. It is true that he takes an inordinate amount of time making some points and fails to generate the kind of febrile momentum and grim, ironic intensity achieved by Klemperer, but he also avoids the stasis courted by Bernstein in over-indulgent mood. This is a performance which has clearly been very carefully planned and thought through, relying on tightly controlled, painstakingly wrought contrasts. This description implies some slight lack of grandeur and a certain deliberateness in Rattle's manner; there is perhaps some slight disappointment in the final climax, but also compensation in the monumental quality of Rattle's vision. The first movement in particular is awesome - in the true sense. The contributions by a mature-voiced but unfailingly wise and sensitive Dame Janet Baker, the silvery Arleen Augér, and a subtle CBSO Chorus, add enormously to the overall quality. I have also read elsewhere that the praise accorded this recording is the result of the pathetic desire of partisan British critics to crown a new conductor-king. Well, I have no particular bias that way and have not by any means invariably admired Rattle's work, but to my ears this is a performance worthy to stand alongside half a dozen other great ones as another enriching interpretation of a tremendous work.

Whatever people think of this individual reading (I happen to like most of it) the recording has always let it down. When originally issued it was very bright and harsh up top while extremely light in the bass. Some balances were also a little odd (up front cymbals and a nearly non-existent rute in the third movement, but this may have been Rattle's hand). It made for extremely uncomfortable listening.

Remastering has slightly softened the top end and added a marginal amount of depth but it can't put in what was never there to begin with -- bass frequencies. This sound picture seems to have been a trait of many Mike Sheady engineered recordings. A simple comparison with many Mahler 2's and even Rattle's own beautifully recorded Mahler 3 show the stark difference.

The "Recordings of the Century" series is simply a must-own for anyone who loves fine classical music. From the tyro to the scholar, these recordings represent the finest of the genre. If you need some Mahler - if you need Mahler's 2nd - this is among the finest. The pacing, the silences, the majestical bombast, the magnificence of the human voice; Everything one looks for in Mahler is here. While each listener may have his own desires and demands in classical music, this and others in the series cannot seriously be faulted. And if you need to really hear the best of Bjoerling, listen to his CD in this series.

Rattle has complete mastery of the extraordinary range of emotions in this symphony,and the singing of Janet Baker is beyond praise.

I am a music major at a big ten school in the mid west and I can easily say that this is the best version of Mahler's 2nd symphony that I have ever heard. The intonation and rhythms are dead on and I was deeply moved by the superb and climactic ending. The low brass plays with a rich, bold, and dark sonorous tone while the woodwinds and strings play with clarity, meekness, and much emotion. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is definitely a world class leader of symphony orchestras and they most certainly delivered in this Mahler piece. It doesn't matter if you are a music major or just an average joe, when you listen to Mahler's 2nd by the CBSO, you will be moved. If not, you must not have a pulse.

This performance is far and away my favorite of the Second. Rattle pulls it all together at the end of the massive Scherzo. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Listen for the throbbing bass of the pipe organ in the final four minutes.