Nelsons' Mahler 8 on web

[Prospero]

For those interested, the Boston Symphony just put up a web streaming link for Andris Nelsons' Mahler 8 performed on August 8. I haven't watched it yet but thought it relevant.

tanglewood.org/mahler8

Best to all,

Tom in Vermont

[barry guerrero]

Interesting. Well, the TMC Orchestra is obviously a youth orchestra. I didn't know that. Anyway, if you're going to hang on to the very last chord for about 5 seconds before you even begin a huge crescendo - which is fine - it would work better if you had two bass drums turned side ways, or nearly side ways - similar to what one would do in the Berlioz Requiem. Also, the kid on the big Wuhan tam-tam could use a bigger mallet. Not bad though. I feel that the vocalists were too far forward. I think it works better to have the vocal soloists at the front of the choral forces - the children winged out to the sides. I'm sure it made a great impression in the Tangelwood barn.

[lisaacso]

I watched this and came back fairly impressed. Although I saw that the TMC orchestra is primarily youth, there were a few older players in the orchestra, perhaps the teachers at Tanglewood. I also felt that the principal flute was a teacher as well. The soloists were of good quality, not students, and I cannot comment on their placement. I was also very much impressed with Andris Nelsons and his smile. I see him in Berlin someday or perhaps at the Concertgebouw.

[hrandall]

I was there, this was my first live M8, so I can't really compare it to anything objectively. I loved finally hearing the symphony live where you can hear and FEEL the organ! And the miracle of having all those massed voices enter at a whisper. It was a full house. The Boston Globe gave it a very favorable review. I'd say the only nitpick I had was that there was an intermission between Part I and II. (The Boston Globe said that apparently Levine did this in the last BSO performance from 2005, I believe). Really broke the spell - but given that this was primarily a youth orchestra, maybe it really was necessary. If it made for a better Part II after the rest - fine. All in all, it was well worth the 4 hour drive each way for me.

[barry guerrero]

"I see him in Berlin someday or perhaps at the Concertgebouw"

The B.S.O. is easily as good as either of those bands. The Concertgebouw may have a very slight edge in woodwinds.