Walter live Mahler 1 and 2 1942

[Prospero]

Music and Arts has just released a two CD set of Bruno Walter performances of Mahler symphonies One and Two from 1942 with the Philharmonic-Symphony of New York (CD-1264 (2)). These appear to be off the air sound checks with some recent audio restoration by Aaron Z. Snyder. According to the booklet notes, a Walter performance of Symphony #2 in New York in 1933 was not broadcast or recorded. But the performance from January 25, 1942 was broadcast and recorded. There is also a performance broadcast of Symphony #1 from October 25, 1942.

These performances bring us closer to the earlier performance practice of Walter in these symphonies than we have known, and they show a more dramatic and intense view of these works than the later recordings with Walter. Given Walter's close association with Mahler for so many years, these are illuminating and crucial performances.

I found the first movement of the Resurrection to be more rhetorically and dramatically varied and intense than the later stereo version. In fact, that opening movement of the Resurrection seems to me uniquely engaged and compelling. There is more rubato and more dramatic emphasis than we find in the later version. Perhaps this gives us an insight into the greater variety of earlier Mahler performances than the somewhat homogenized performance practice from the 60's on. I know there will be differences of opinion here, but here we get hints and specific evidence from these relatively early Walter performances of more varied approaches than the later studio recordings suggest.

The Resurrection was performed about seven weeks after Pearl Harbor, and the historical stresses and hopes of the time show in the performances. What might strike some as strange is the use of English language translations of the texts, but you might find a great urgency in the delivery of the words in the language of the concert and radio audience.

Given our interest in the history and reception of Mahler performances these are important documents that link back to living memory of Mahler's conducting and Walter's dedication to Mahler's work.

The performance of the first symphony is quite impetuous and engaging. The main draw back is the proximity of the microphone to the timpani and a lack of balance in the sound picture.

Nonetheless, this release is an important historical and interpretive set of documents.

Best to all,

Tom in Vermont