Search - Bruno Walter, Mahler :: Conducts Mahler 1st Symphony W/The NBC Sym Orch

The Most Thrilling Mahler 1st!

R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 04/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release is taken from a 1939 broadcast with the NBC Symphony. I have heard a number of very fine performances of this work, including Kubelik's superb account with the BRSO on DG (my primary stereo recommendation), both of Walter's commercial recordings (with the NY Phil and the Columbia SO), the Mitropoulos 1940 Minneapolis recording as reissued by Sony and also, a 1950 broadcast of Walter with NY. All of these are superior interpretations, but in terms of sheer drive and intensity, nothing comes close to this. Don't expect any sweetness, mellowness or schmaltz; you won't find it here. Prepare instead to be on the edge of your seat.
Of course, the sound is limited, but on a par with typical commercial recordings of the time (however, not as good as the aforementioned Mitropoulos). Nevertheless, because the performance is so special (it's almost as if Toscanini were conducting the work), I would highly recommend this release to Mahler lovers."