For those who have been looking for a good source of Levine's Resurrection, the wait is over. With the exception of Mehta's version on Decca, this is by far the best Resurrection the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra recorded.
That being said, it's also pretty much an 'auto-pilot' from start to finish: the unique orchestral timbre and its hallmark style are unmistakably theirs whoever leads them - the rich strings, hopping woodwinds, brilliant horns, blaring trumpets, thundering timpani. But Levine's concept of the symphony is more consistent and dramatic than anyone else who conducted them before and after him. It is a blazingly taut and driven performance that will put you on the edge of your seat right up to the final bar. Sometimes, Levine's conducting is so agitated that the Vienna trumpets blow way above their heads. But what a virtuosic orchestra they truly are! The final peroration is nicely drawn out as is the pure orchestral postlude that follows the chorus.
The live recording sound is very realistic with particularly stark presence from the brass and percussion sections. Throughout the Finale and elsewhere, the bells, high & low tam tam are all audible (but the organ is weak), although I wish the mikes had been placed closer to the choir.
An outstanding and a very important archive that demonstrates James Levine as one of the finest Mahler conductors of our time.
Now, where is Levine's Mahler Eighth?
