Search - Mahler, Wagner, Vienna Phil :: Symphony 9 & Siegfried Idyll

Wonderful music-making

Baker Sefton Peeples | Santa Cruz, CA United States | 04/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance of Mahler's 9th is esp. great since otto klemperer is one of the most convincing of mahler intrepreters, and this performance shows why. While there is some sloppy playing in some places, probably due to the VPO's unfamiliarity with klemperer (notoriously hard to follow), the VPO still plays wonderfully, and with such warmth, esp. in the last movement. This was recorded shortly after klemperer's studio recording in london with the new philharmonia, which is also fantastic, and while the interpretations are similar, this one i find more flexible, which seems to characterize old klemp's live performances. The same goes for the siegfried-idyll, which klemperer also did in the studio, and this is definitely one of the most beautifully moulded utterances of this work i've ever heard. He also uses wagner's original instrumentation, for small ensemble, which provides refreshment since most recordings of the work use the full orchestra.
Unfortunately, this set is expensive, but if you want to hear some fascinating music-making, buy this before it disappears."