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Chailly/Mahler 1/Leipzig

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ChrisH:
This is the last release in Chially's uncompleted Mahler cycle with the Gewandhous Orchestra. Sadly, I don't think a third is coming, which I imagine would have been terrific.

This is my favorite recording of this work, which is one of my favorite compositions from Mahler. In the small interview on the Blu-Ray Chailly talks a lot about going through Mahlers and Mengelbergs scores and using their hand written markings and ideas for this concert. He also talks a bit about Bruno Walter and his adding of timpani strokes in the Landler, which Chailly decided to use; quite effectively I might add.

The opening movement is filled with naivete, breadth, air and atmosphere. The ease of playing really brings a sense of relaxation and calm, all while staying rhythmically tight and precise. Chailly's tempos are spot on for me, broad where they need be and a foot on the gas or little push when called for. The landler is really something. Rude at times, dramatic, swelling and, in the central trio section so much calm among all the dance. The players themselves seem to be having a great time with this, as they basically dancing in their seats. It almost feels like Schubert.

The final two movements are as successful as the first two. Atmosphere and changes of mood really mark the funeral march. It's interesting how the first klezmer episode is a tad underplayed, but this pays of in spades when we transfer to the central portion, which is essentially magic on this recording. Chailly's handling of the finale is great. Powerful, tense, and filled with measured explosions, really winding it up for the coda. It's nice to see the horns stand too. Again, the musicians seems to be really into this work, and Chailly's ideas on it. So often it sounds like orchestras are just going through the motions, not this time. The Gewandhous brings it in on this recording.

I would highly recommend this Blu-Ray to any and everyone. For my tastes this is about as perfect a Mahler 1 as you could get. I'm sure others will quibble with this and that, but overall this is exception work for piece that has been recorded so many times.

erikwilson7:
This sounds fantastic; thank you for your review and insight. Being a fan of both Chailly’s RCO cycle and Stenz’s generally less expansive cycle on Oehms, I’m very interested in this Chailly Gewandhaus cycle for its different perspectives. I haven’t checked out any of these performances yet.

Only one question though: how are you sure it’s the final installment, and that he won’t record a Third? It seems unlike Chailly to leave a cycle unfinished, since he even finished Abbado’s Lucerne cycle in his posthumous honor (quite a decent M8, for the record).

ChrisH:

--- Quote from: erikwilson7 on August 27, 2019, 10:39:11 PM ---This sounds fantastic; thank you for your review and insight. Being a fan of both Chailly’s RCO cycle and Stenz’s generally less expansive cycle on Oehms, I’m very interested in this Chailly Gewandhaus cycle for its different perspectives. I haven’t checked out any of these performances yet.

Only one question though: how are you sure it’s the final installment, and that he won’t record a Third? It seems unlike Chailly to leave a cycle unfinished, since he even finished Abbado’s Lucerne cycle in his posthumous honor (quite a decent M8, for the record).

--- End quote ---

If I remember correctly, Chailly left rather abruptly. This left the cycle hanging. I didn't even think we'd get a 1st. There was a long break between releases; which initially came out at a rapid pace. It is sad that he left the 3rd, which he is excellent in. This may actually be my favorite incomplete cycle. They are all excellent, excepting the 7th, in my estimation. There may be better individual recordings of each symphony, but as a whole this an incredibly consistent cycle. The sound quality is excellent, too.

erikwilson7:

--- Quote from: Vehemence on August 28, 2019, 11:03:26 PM ---They are all excellent, excepting the 7th, in my estimation. There may be better individual recordings of each symphony, but as a whole this an incredibly consistent cycle.

--- End quote ---

It’s funny, Chailly has recorded the Seventh from two quite different interpretive directions, but judging by your view of this Leipzig recording neither really seem to work. That’s the only numbered Mahler symphony he hasn’t mastered, in my opinion.

I’ll probably get this set when they release it as a Blu-Ray bundle instead of buying each one individually. The Seventh is on YouTube but that doesn’t do it justice.

I’m still eagerly awaiting a Chailly Das Lied some day.

erikwilson7:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/09/riccardo-chailly-leipzig-gewandhaus-conducting-interview

That article seems to detail Chailly’s semi-“retirement” from the Gewandhaus. A funny thought: what if his successor, Andris Nelsons, finished his cycle for him? Haha

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