3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun to Watch, Inspiring to Behold, July 8, 2009
This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, "Resurrection" (DVD)
It's not quite the cast needed for a full-blown performance of the "Symphony of a Thousand," but to watch 535 college students assembled on stage to present a creditable performance of Mahler's mighty "Resurrection" Symphony is to behold quite an inspiring sight indeed. The DVD begins with a brief background on the composition of the symphony, then presents the concert performance. The young musicians acquit themselves well. They might not have the precise attack and intonation of one of the world's top-rank professional orchestras, but they have every reason to be proud of their achievement in presenting a dramatic and effective performance of this vast, inspiring work.
When I watched the DVD on my television, the sound quality seemed quite good within the obvious limits of the medium. Just for curiosity, I tried playing the audio soundtrack through my stereo system, and found that the presentation seemed compressed. This performance is also available on a CD; I would hope that the sound quality is better, but I have not auditioned that version.
I have several fine versions of the Mahler Second in my CD collection, which is one of the reasons I decided to purchase the DVD rather than the CD. This is a piece of music I love more than almost any other, and I welcomed the opportunity to watch a live performance in the comfort of my home. To see the enthusiasm of these young musicians as they perform this music is truly an inspiration. For those who love the music of Mahler, I recommend this DVD without reservation.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mahler has the power to help you lift yourself up to Heaven, August 13, 2006
This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, "Resurrection" (DVD)
This performance may not have the passionate Leonard Berntein leaping into the air from his podium, but, even without Bernstein, the music of Mahler speaks for itself, and for all humanity.
Symhony 2, "Resurrection," is Mahler's statement of how mankind can cope with the inevitability of death. The music struggles with our natural tendency toward denial, or refusal to acknowledge that we too will die, as have those before us.
It is begging for a little light that will illuminate our path to the hereafter.
This performance states Mahler's belief very powerfully, with fully 535 participants on stage. That's right--535. Imagine the monumental task of managing all those choruses and musicians to insure that they are all together!
Kory Katseanes achieves this with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Combined Choirs of BYU--and they are all so young!
If I was surprised at how such an enormous assembly could perform so well in unison, I was even more amazed at the quality of the soloists. Contralto Francesca Forsyth and soprano Jenny Litster both breathed new life into Mahler's inspiring words. I hope both will consider the pursuit of professional singing.
Even the lighting and filming of this production were better than I had anticipated. The camera shots of the shadowed immense choir and the dark blue of the ceiling were so fitting for such ethereal music. And please don't skip over the few minutes of an excellent explanatory introduction just before the beginning of the performance. This helps set the stage for the musical and almost religious experience in which you are about to participate.
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