Mahler
Mahler
Symphony No 3
(avg)
Artists: Birgit Remmert, Swiss Chamber Choir, Zurich Boys'
Choir
Orchestra: Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich
Conductor: David Zinman
Label: RCA Red Seal
CD No: 88697 12918 2
From the opening bars of the Tonhalle Orchestra's horn section,
this recording promises to be one that will stand alongside the
great Mahler interpretations of Solti and Bernstein.
Zinman conducts his highly polished orchestra in a glittering
performance of full bodied brass and strings, rich woodwind and
brilliant percussion. Alongside this stunning playing, Zinmann
reigns in an outstandingly ethereal and joyful chorus with a
sumptuous alto solo from Birgit Remmert.
The opening movement calls us to attention with its forthright
brass and sets the standard for clarity, power and well-chosen
steady tempi found throughout the epic first movement. After the
climax of the opening we are transported to a gently lilting
pastoral theme for oboe and strings, hailing the opening of the
second movement.
The Tonhalle's splendid pacing and subtle dynamic range give us
that sense of inner calm always found in Mahler symphonies, leading
us into a sense of false security before launching into technically
demanding passages designed to throw us off course with blinding
fluidity. In this second movement the woodwind section really comes
into its own, and dazzle us with excellently articulated phrasing,
especially from the flutes.
The following movements all have much to recommend them, not least
the fourth with its moral warning to men. With a text taken from
Friedrich Nietzsche's Also sprach Zarathustra, it is sung by
the earthy strains of Remmert who provides a well-focussed line
that is at one with the orchestra. It might be observed however,
that her vibrato is sometimes just a little too much. The chorus
that follows banishes all earthly care with a splendid performance
that leads us into a gripping account of Mahler's heart-rending
final movement.
This is a well-balanced and polished performance of much loved
music. Andrew King
This review was submitted by a Muso reader and the opinions
expressed reflect solely the opinions of the writer, not those of
Muso magazine or its publisher. Muso cannot guarantee the accuracy
of any information provided
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