Search - Gustav Mahler, Otmar Suitner, Staatskapelle Berlin :: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"

A Great-Sounding, Vigorous, Grandly Romantic Reading

Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 11/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recording on a "why not?" basis, because I was frustrated with other recordings of Mahler's 2nd I had heard on CD. Either they were rushed, dragged out or had sonic problems. This one is just right. Its 78 minutes long, on one disc, (as Sony's Bruno Walter recording by rights ought to be), and the comparison to Walter's reading does not end there. It possesses a similar warmth and intesity to that legendary performance, and this one sounds a lot better, even on headphones, so you can listen to it loud without being distracted by non-music. The mid-price is equally fine."

Excellent Mahler Resurrection

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 06/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not the best Mahler 2 that I've heard, but this is not criticism, as there are MANY excellent Mahler 2s.



I found some of the drums not as crisply played as I would have preferred, but perhaps this was because of the acoustics in the Christuskirche of Berlin, where this performance was recorded in 1983.



Suitner's tempi are not too fast, nor too slow. The contralto, Ute Priew, seemed a bit too conservative or dispassionate in the Urlicht movement ("O Roschen rot"), but by the final movement she had become fully involved. Soprano Magdalena Hajossyova's singing was excellent, and her timing also very good. The Choir of the German State Opera of Berlin was one of the better choir performances--something which frequently goes unnoticed."