Runnicles/BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Mahler 9th (RAH, 8/4/2014)

[John Kim]

I'm ready to call the concert *magnificent*.

Donald Runnicles' way with the score is reminiscent of Rafael Kubelik's M9ths which are similarly structured and phrased; everything is 'flowing' as naturally as one can imagine, and nothing is forced. Done this way, his reading achieves a rare combination of musicality and cogency throughout. Make no mistake: when called for the conductor is able to supply much conjuring up, excitement, and vehement, e.g., the main climax of I. Overall, it is even better than the Kubelik because Runnicles has the superb orchestra at his disposal.

Speaking of the Finale which clocks just over 24 min. here Runnicles' is one of the best I've ever heard. Again, it's very flowing but richly and poignantly expressed. It just tells that the movement doesn't need to be stretched out to be effective. It could still be otherwise without being slow as it is here (think of Szell!).

What's so eerie about the whole performance is that it is neither overtly emotional nor angst ridden a la Bernstein or Tennstedt and yet it leaves me so *satisfied* and *fulfilled* (for lack of my words) in the end. I've never felt about M9th this way.

Perhaps it will not erase the memories of Lenny, Levine, Solti, Ozawa, Karajan, or the recent concerts by Chung (Paris) but Runnicles and the BBC Scottish Symphony orchestra clearly had their moments sparked and inspired to the fullest that evening.

The recorded sound from the acoustically tricky Royal Albert Hall is splendid, although the second movement and onward had been recorded at a level higher than the first movement.

You owe yourself to try this fabulous live concert:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p024fwlz

[hrandall]

Agreed, I really like this one. Wonder if there's any chance of a CD or video release?

[Penny]

Well, it definitely said on the tickets, "TV cameras present" but I didn't see them!  I wonder whether the BBC Music Magazine will release it as a CD?

My companion for the evening, a seasoned Mahlerian and I both agreed that it was an outstanding performance, with an Adagio "to die for", of the kind which leaves hardly a dry eye in the house - I can vouch for that in the case of at least one audience member!