Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 9 In D Major (Great Recordings of the Century)

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Bruno Walter (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Bruno Walter
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (June 6, 1989)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002S0R
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,824 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 9 in D major: I. Andante Comodo

2. Symphony No. 9 in D major: II. Im Tempo Eines Gemachlichen Landlers. Etwas Tappisch Und Sehr Derb

3. Symphony No. 9 in D major: III. Rondo-Burleske. Allegro Assai. Sehr Trotzig

4. Symphony No. 9 in D major: IV. Adagio. Sehr Langsam Und Noch Zuruckhaltend

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In addition to conducting the first performance of Mahler's Ninth, Bruno Walter also made the first recording of the score, and it is one of the most remarkable phonographic documents of this century. The recording, with an incandescent Vienna Philharmonic on the stage, was made at a concert in the Musikvereinssaal on January 16, 1938. Walter, then 61, and his colleagues, some of whom had played under Mahler, give an overwhelming reading inspired not only by the memory of the composer, but by the grim situation in Europe and Austria at that moment. Here is Mahler on the brink, coming to us from a time when the world itself was on the brink. Listening to the account is like stepping back in time, and can be a chilling experience. The sound is magnificent, with an utterly remarkable depth and presence for a recording more than 50 years old. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most poignant moments in music captured on record, July 21, 2000

By	B. Yoon (Urbana, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am forever grateful for the insight that Fred Gaisberg had in recording this concert, Walter's last before the Anschluss. One must remember that soon after this concert, Walter, along with the other Jewish musicians, were in grave danger. Due to this unfortunate situation, it resulted in an emotionally charged performance by one of the finest orchestras in the world at its peak.

George Szell considered the string playing of European orchestras during the time between the two world wars to be the ideal standard that all should strive for. I strongly believe that this recording is the supreme example of that level of playing. Not only does one hear superb bowing technique, one hears exceedingly subtle nuances very clearly as a result of the orchestra's committment to a unified musical message. All the little slides are just gorgeous.

Mahler's 9th is one of the ultimate human expressions of farewell. He looks back on his tragic-laden life and still accepts his inevitable fate in peace. This concert gives a new meaning to that farewell and this makes it such a poignant recording. My favorite along with Horenstein- LSO and Abbado-VPO.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart-breaking echos from 1938, November 27, 2001

By	"tolkie" (Munich, Germany) - See all my reviews

I hesitate to recommend this as the top choice for anyone looking for their first Mahler 9. If you have not heard the Ninth at all before, this recording by Walter is not the one for you. Barbirolli's and Haitink's (with Amsterdam) Ninth combines good sound with excellent playing. And Karajan's ninth with the BPO is also a good place to start, although there are those who argue that Karajan did not produce the Mahlerian sound with the BPO.

For those who already have a Mahler 9 and wish to supplement their already valuable collection with historical recordings and alternative interpretations, well, what are you waiting for? Grab this CD. You can go no more historical than this. This was Walter's last performance with the VPO before he fled Austria to escape the Nazis. One hears in the music the tension of those last remaining days before the war, or so I imgaine.

The playing of the orchestras might draw different opinions from critics, the sound is admittedly of low quality ( though in view of the date - 1938, the engineers in charge of the remastering must have done wonders), but mix them all together, and the result is potent electrifying music! Listen to the first movement and feel your goose pimples rise, for this was what it did to me on the first listening, and still does.

Get this, in this remastering or any other. It is worth your while.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Benchmark forever, January 16, 2000

By	"jojo-ma" (Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews

This is a truely fascinating recording, for several reasons: It has been recorded 52 years ago in Vienna (just weeks before the Anschluss) by Walter who had to leave the country soon after that January 16, 1938. Walter conducted the first performance of this symphony 1912 (two years after Mahler's death) with many of the musicians who play in the 1938 recording. Remastered from the original 78rpm shellac this recording brings unexpectedly rich sound (though Mono). And I don't need to talk about the thrilling interpretation of Walter. For me this recording is a Must for any Mahler lover.