Mahler: Symphony No. 9

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G7G
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement - Andante comodo

2. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement - Entry Of The Horns

3. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement - Bewegter

4. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement -

5. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement - Wie von Anfang

6. Symphonie No. 9: 1st Movement - Plotzlich bedeutend langsamer (Lento) und leise

7. Symphonie No. 9: 2nd Movement - Im Tempo eines gemachlichen Landlers. Etwas tappisch und sehr d

8. Symphonie No. 9: 2nd Movement - Poco piu mosso subito (Tempo II.)

9. Symphonie No. 9: 2nd Movement - Tempo III.

10. Symphonie No. 9: 2nd Movement - A tempo II.

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - Rondo-Burleske. Allegro assai. Sehr trotzig

2. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - L'istesso tempo

3. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - Sempre l'istesso tempo

4. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - L'istesso tempo

5. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement -

6. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - (Entry Of The Clarinets)

7. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - Tempo l. subito

8. Symphonie No. 9: 3rd Movement - Piu stretto

9. Symphonie No. 9: 4th Movement - Adagio. Sehr langsam und noch zuruckhaltend

10. Symphonie No. 9: 4th Movement - Plotzlich wieder sech langsam (wie zu Anfang) und etwas zogernd

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for what it's worth, May 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 (Audio CD)

I'm not an expert. Though I would like to consider myself musically astute--I'm a reasonably good jazz musician, have played professionally in a number of situations, and I own probably 2,000 records, CDs and tapes--I must confess to being fairly ignorant about the world of classical music. That said, I would like to add, for whatever it's worth, that this CD astounded me and made me a Mahler fan forever.

It was purely by chance that I happened to pick it up. I found a used copy at a local store, took it home and plopped it into the stereo and sat down to listen with no real preconceptions about what I would hear. I must say, I was completely amazed by the passion and breadth of this performance, the range of emotions, the beauty of the recording. I cant really describe it all other than to say that all of us who love music have at various times been completely floored by a given performance, so much so that we could barely speak when it was done. Such was my experience of Bernstein's Mahler. As the last notes died out, I felt like my musical universe had been re-arranged. Perhaps even my life!

Since then, I have in my new-found enthusiasm explored the other Mahler symphonies, and listened to various versions of the 9th, including Karajan's, Haitink's, Walter's and Bernstein's earlier versions. All of them have something to offer, but I still feel that this version is the most beautiful and the most emotionally devastating. Perhaps in time my sophistication with regard to classical recordings will grow and I will come to feel, as some do, that Bernstein overplays and exagerrates certain aspects of Mahler. But no matter what happens, this recording will always be very special to me. Here's hoping you enjoy it as much as I do.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most incredible performance ever, June 3, 2004

By 

M. Mclain "liqwidfrog" (VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 (Audio CD)

There is no arguing that this is an hyper-emotional performance. Too much, however, has been made of Bernstein departing from the score or suffering from 'romantic' interpretations etc. Ultimately the test of a performance is if it lives, and this one most definitely does.

In fact, Bernstein's Mahler recordings speak with the composers voice so clearly and consummately that it transcends the barrier of music. There are many very musical versions of Mahler 9 out there, with delicate textures and glowing sonorities and the such. But this recording is more than music; it becomes an actual testament of life and death, something that defies description. Bernstein astutely pointed out that at the end of the ninth one can actually experience the sensation of dying.

But the greatest moment for me will always be the first surging climax in the first movement, which builds higher and higher, and then absolutely collapses into an abyss, and after a moment of nothing, in comes the booming timpani theme which as tradition has it represents Mahler's own fatal heart condition. Regardless, it becomes a profound work of philosophy, in which joy and sorrow for life wage a war, and we are left experiencing the profoundest anguish. It as if at every moment, we could just collapse, and yet it always drives further, one second in an ironic self-assurance, and the next an ethereal but honest self-assurance--but always a profound doubt. Every emotion is experienced, then questioned, mocked and affirmed.

For me there is no other version of this symphony (and I have listened to many). If there is any doubt left in your mind, compare the recordings. Mahler is always compared with Bruckner, and in lesser hands, he sounds like a late romantic, architectural symphonic composer. But with Bernstein, he becomes the profound creator, and we finally can hear that this work rests comfortably in the pantheon of the greatest aspirations of artists through the centuries.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars You'll either love it or hate it, November 13, 2000

By 

Ed Ting (Amherst, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 (Audio CD)

Some people I know think this recording is a profoundly moving experience. Others view it as a great Classical Party Record. Either view is valid. These descriptions apply to many of Bernstein's later DG recordings, but this one (and the Tchaikovsky 6th) seems to be the most excessive and indulgent of all.

The performance isn't really as slow as it's given credit for - the first three movements are within regarded limits, if a tad on the lengthy side. It's in the 4th movement that things get weird. After the big climax, the tempo slows down. And slows down again. And again. The final fadeout seems to take forever, as if Bernstein won't (or can't) let go. This is all fascinating to listen to, but it isn't a mainstream view and you shouldn't "learn" the Mahler 9th via this performance. But it is very dramatic and will keep your attention.

The Concertgebouw plays ravishingly and the sound is warm and clear. I found myself wishing the other entires in this series were played and recorded here.

For "everyday" use, Bernstein's DG Berlin performance is far preferable, and packs an emotional wallop as well. Or get the Walter, Barbirolli, the last DG Karajan, the NY/CBS/Sony Bernstein or one of many others (we all have our favorites.) But do try and hear this at least once - it should be experienced by any lover of Mahler's music.