MTT's SFSO M9

[Leo K]

I was really impressed upon hearing this M9 last night.  In many ways this is my dream M9.  Like Neumann's CPO M9, this Andante Comodo feels rather sorrowfull, quiet and resigned, with sudden upheavals of exhalation with a resistance that sounds heavy with burden.  This heaviness appears to lift as each movement progresses, until the Adagio finally dissapears into nothing with no struggle into the surrender. I was really effected by the "twilight" atmosphere that seemed to manifest from the orchestra and interpretation...this could also be the sound of the hall or the sound of the orchestra in general, I'm not sure.  The SFSO, however, are magnificent and a highlight of this recording.  This M9 really took me by surprise...what a moving experience in every way.

I saw Hurwitz's review and agree with the 9/9 rating, although, besides the poorly heard timpani in one part of the Rondo, I feel the sound could even be a 10 rating overall, the clarity and production are very fine.

I also read Annie Ozorio's review on Musicweb, and she quoted Alban Berg's statement that the Andante Comodo "expresses an extraordinary love of this earth, for Nature; the longing to live on it in peace, to enjoy it completely, to the very heart of one's being".  I agree that MTT's rendition of the Andante Comodo (as well as his execution of the whole work) relates to Berg's quote rather well.

--Leo

[John Kim]

I too was (happily) surprised upon hearing this recording. MTT's use of extreme rubato could have crossed the border of "madness" and "self-indulgence" but thanks to the fine, alter playing and full commitment from SFSO, the performance overall narrowly escapes from falling into the trap and instead makes it one of the most fascinating, if a bit erratic, M9ths ever. Yes, the timpani could have been stronger in III. and a few places in I. as well. I hope MTT gets to conduct VPO or BPO to play the music in the future.

John,

[barry guerrero]

"I hope MTT gets to conduct VPO or BPO to play the music in the future"

I don't, except for maybe the 8th and 9th symphonies. Both orchestras have had more than their fill of under-tempo Mahler. I like MTT's finale to the 7th, but the first movement is just ridiculously fast. Why bother to add a finale at all?

Barry

[Leo K]

I would like to hear him with the VPO or BPO also, especially the 9th.

Incidently, I really like MTT's cycle so far...I've only heard the M3, M6 and M9 at this point.  The sound of the SFSO is one of the main attractions, and I also like how MTT shapes the music.  The MTT M3, which I heard for the first time last night (in SACD sound), was a very powerful emotional experience...and very healing, my feeling of stress diminished greatly.  The performance hit so close I can't objectively review it.  I would drive to San Francisco from Tucson to hear him conduct Mahler if I wasn't busy with work and school.


--Leo

[barry guerrero]

Leo,

Just judging on the kinds of comments that you make, and where your tastes seem to take you, I think you would be a perfect candidate for the Segerstam cycle (Chandos). I really feel that Segerstam is better at reaching "that" which MTT is out to achieve. I really believe that Segerstam has given us the best slow (under tempo) recorded Mahler performances to date. His M3 is vastly better than the MTT, with the possible exception of the second movement, which Segerstam took at a puzzling slow tempo. But every other movement is clearly better than MTT's. You really need to hear the Segerstam Mahlers at some point.

Barry

[Leo K]

The sound clips on Amazon of Segerstam's accounts sound very appealing indeed, especailly the M2 and M3.  Thanks for the heads up on this Barry!


--Leo

[barry guerrero]

I still feel that Segerstam has the best ending to M2 of anybody. Unfortunately (for my tastes), he takes a fair amount of time getting there.

Barry

[Ivor]

You'll see from the Best M9? thread that the BBC reviewer of corrent 9s wasn't best pleased with MTT's. I haven't heard it.


    Ivor

[Leo K]

I revisted this M9 again recently, and my original view stands...this is one of the best in terms of "on the edge of your seat" musical discourse...great contrast, dynamic range and a transparent string texture that sounds like the sky itself.  Also, I tip my hat to the brass section.

--Todd

[barry guerrero]

"Also, I tip my hat to the brass section"

Yes, the SFSO brass section is very good these days. Then again, what highly paid American orchestra doesn't have a good or great brass section! To me, they're very generic sounding. They could be St. Louis' or Nashville's brass section - they're totally interchangeable. And again, while it might have had something to do with where I was seated, MTT's M7 sounded like a concerto work for trumpets with Broadway pit-band accompaniment. I liked De Waart's performance in S.F. - clear back in the '80s sometime - much, much, MUCH better. I wish we had bagged Zinman instead.

Barry

[John Kim]

I revisted this M9 again recently, and my original view stands...this is one of the best in terms of "on the edge of your seat" musical discourse...great contrast, dynamic range and a transparent string texture that sounds like the sky itself.  Also, I tip my hat to the brass section.

--Todd

I feel the same about this M9th. It has grown on me over the past few months. I love the sound of this orchestra, especially the brass as you mentioned. My current favorite M9ths are this one and Solti/LSO/Decca. I wish their M5ht and M7th were this good too.

John,