Olson/Colorado MaherFest Orch. Mahler Ninth (2005) CD

[John Kim]

This is really an outstanding Mahler Ninth indeed. I much liked their earlier 1996 account but this time they excellend what they had achieved back then - the playing, sound, and Olson's interpretation all have improved and matured over the years. Olson's success lies in his honest, close attention to the score and a careful execution of what Mahler instructed; the second and final climaxes in I. sound so right in their tempos and balance. In the score, unlike at the third climax where Mahler wrote "Pesante", there is no such instruction right before the collapse of the second climax. Yet most conductors slam on their brakes at this spot and I am glad to report that Olson is one of very few (Boulez in his DG recording also comes to my mind) who do not slow down the music here. I like all the four movements under Olson and can't find any serious flaw with this performance. The final aftermath in II. is appropriately heavy and cynical with the low woodwinds clearly audible in the background, and the R-B, while not the wildest realization imaginable, still packs up plenty of momentum and ends in a white frenzy. At near 28 min., Olson's Adagio finds much room to imbue prolonged emotions and sentiments; the high and low string of this orchestra shine throughout as they do in other movts. Time again, the recording boasts strong bass in the low strings as well as in the brass with tuba sounding impressively forward and strong. Most importantly, Olson and his orchestra seem to have acquire a true Mahler sound this time around, so whatever small quibbles in the quality of the playing aside, this is a major achievement for them to be proud of.

Highly recommended.

John,

[Leo K]

John, this is an excellant review and I agree with every word you said.

This M9 is fast becoming my favorite and main recommendation...it simply has everything I want in an M9...very strong climaxes, beautiful and thoughtful pacing with contrast between the various sections, great low brass, thundering timpani, a HUGE tamtam sound in the third climax but balanced with the low brass (seriously, the main climax takes my breath away).  Every movement has depth and passion, with great instrumental detail and nuanced playing.  The recorded sound is very natural.

This is another M9 that will probably be overlooked!  Please, if you are a fan of the M9 order this from the Colorado Mahlerfest website...you won't be dissapointed.  It gives the new Rattle a serious run for it's money...because of better sound and an interpretation that has the profoundity of a Horenstein, Bernstein, and Ozawa.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Rattle and it is in my top tier, but this M9 has what Rattle has and more.  Check it out!

--Todd

[Amphissa]

Are any of the other CDs available from Mahlerfest recommendable as top shelf? I've never heard any of them. However, I've got plenty of Mahler recordings and do not feel compelled to hear every recording ever made. I've become much more selective.

[John Kim]

The timings are like,

I. 29:40
II. 17:15
III. 13:15
IV. 27:50

So, it is on the expansive side. Olson's interpretation reminds me of performances by Klemperer and Horenstein but the sound on this recording is more realistic and natural, truer to the live concert environments. Olson sometimes smoothers some rough edges out intentionally (so that it makes an easier listening experience), but there is no loss of impact or power in his music making.

It is quickly becoming my favorite M9th.

John,

[John Kim]

I've listened to this recording again this morning. There is no doubt that this is an accomplished M9th by any standard. What makes it distinguished is Mr. Olson's unique view of the symphony in which he somehow has found a way to combine all the great elements of two of the great Mahler conductors in the past, Klemperer and Horenstein, and create his own sound world of Mahler Ninth. Tempos are on a slow side (as the timings suggest) but never dragging; he seemed to have found perfect tempo and tempo relations for all four movements, and I have never said this before for any other recordings. The first movt. proceeds like a gigantic rock and with a plenty of Klemperian weight. Heavy yes it is, but boring or heavy-handed it is not. What helps Olson realize his vision is the unexpectedly high quality playing of the Colorado Festival orchestra. They play not only with a good ensemble and a precision but also with a true Mahlerian sound. One gets sucked into the excellence of the music making that he will hardly notice the movt. is nearly 30 min. long. The Landler movt. is just fine, with just a right amount of Viennese waltz and world weary elements well melted together. I particularly like the ending where a solo horn and a low woodwind exchange a variation of two melodies in the introduction and trio section in a dark, lonesome mood; most recordings simply walk through the passage without any poignancy and/or the dark coloring. Then comes the R-B! It starts out rather plainly but after the middle choral passage, Olson really picks up the speed and from that point on it only gets faster and faster. Fast but without much weight, Olson's interpretation here sounds very fresh indeed. The way he handles the final pages is to execute them as fast as they can but slightly reduce the volume of the orchestra. Very nicely done. The Finale is another highlight of the performance. Time again, what makes it so unique is the way Olson fearlessly emphasizes low string and low brass. In fact, he does this consistently well throughout the entire performance (except for the coda of R-B). The result is one of the most beautifully proportioned - both horizontally and vertically - and weighty rendition of the Finale ever committed. This statement is also true of the other three movements.

All things considered, this is truly a distinguished Mahler Ninth by all accounts. Even the recording is excellent, with wide and deep dynamic range, natural sound and minimal amount of spotlighting.

You should not hesitate to get this recording.

John,

[Leo K]

John,

That is an excellant review...I am just blown away at the power of this M9...emotionally, and aesthetically, this is my top M9 at this point.  The recording is tops too...I've never heard the tuba so clear before, and the main climax is the most shattering I've heard.

--Todd

[barry guerrero]

Sounds really good, guys.