Search - Gustav Mahler, Jascha Horenstein, Vienna Symphony Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No. 1

Excellent, if scrappily played

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Go here for the music, which transcends the limitations of the performers; Mahler 1 here is presented with enthusiastic magnetism, especially when the podium is bearing a talented, patient leader in the form of HorensteinThe Vienna Symphony was a mighty scrappy bunch when Horenstein made this recording. But Horenstein was on the podium, and every player believed in him to the last man, or so it sounds. You have not heard Mahler's 1st until you've heard this incredible performance. Forget that the horns can't play in tune at all in the Finale; forgive the strings for their wildly undisciplined playing. It all comes together into a transcendental experience.The engineering: it's mono. It's not too bad. It doesn't hinder the performance, so I guess it is "open" enough. I rarely buy mono performances, but Horenstein's outings are an exception I'm almost always happy to make."