The DG website is showing that Augusto Dudamel has a recorded a Mahler 5th with his large youth orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela. We're getting one tiny step closer to having a full Mahler cycle from South America - Sau Paolo, most likely.
First up that Friday morning was Gustavo Dudamel. This dynamic and charismatic 23-year-old, the youngest applicant invited to Bamberg, has been conducting the National Youth Symphony of Venezuela since he was 18. His approach was sweetly earnest and emotional; his technique is sharp and clear, and he spoke to the players in a passionately poetic English that was effective in coaxing out some very nuanced playing. Although he had some trouble with the ending of "Um Mitternacht" (ill-defined cues left the brass consistently uncertain of where they were supposed to be), his work on the Schubert showed a refined conception that belied his youth.