Unique Performances by a Gentle Giant Among Conductors
Johannes Climacus | Beverly, Massachusetts | 10/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 2-CD set is a must-hear for all Schuricht fans. We tend to associate Schuricht with Bruckner and Beethoven, but not particularly with Mahler or Strauss. On the evidence of these two live performances (the Strauss in crystal-clear mono from 1956; the Mahler in vivid stereo from 1960), he was an outstanding interpreter of the latter two, no less than the former.
As for the Mahler, this is, qua interpretation, simply as good as it gets. The sprawling first movement, notoriously difficult to hold together, proceeds with an inexorable dramatic movement as the mood-pendulum swings back and forth from Winter's melancholy stasis to Summer's initially tentative, but then ever more uproarious entrance. I have rarely if ever heard Summer's rabble-rousing marches done with such side-splitting humor--or Winter's repeated attempts to re-conquer the élan vital given with such wild desperation. Schuricht had me hanging on every gesture. A remarkable traversal of the first movement--more perceptive and engrossing even than Bernstein or Horenstein.
The rest of the symphony is nearly the equal of that achievement, though the orchestral playing in the second and third movements is erratic (the forwardly balanced posthorn solo in the latter doesn't do that technically challenged player any favors); nor do I find the overly fruity contralto soloist in Movements IV and V particularly impressive. On the other hand, Schuricht conveys plenty of atmosphere throughout these inner movements. The "Morning Bells" evocation is particularly effective--a chilling rather than consoling interpretation that builds inexorably toward the chorus's near-sinister response to the soloist's confession of having transgressed "die zehn Gebot." The women-and-boys chorus contributes decisively to this buildup by elongating their vowels on "Bimm, Bamm"--a splendid effect (presumably at Schuricht's behest), which I have never encountered before in any performance of the work. The great Adagio finale is taken at a predictably flowing speed (Schuricht was never one to dawdle in slow movements), and moves towards its majestic peroration with a studied serenity--and a minimum of fuss. Schuricht's approach to this movement reminds one of Kubelik in his estimable recording with the BRSO on DG. Schuricht manages to convey a greater sense of occasion, however, even if Kubelik's rustic charm remains irresistable throughout this work.
Overall, this live Mahler Third is a tremendous success, despite some less than distinguished orchestral playing (tuning is a persistent problem). If this were Berlin or Vienna rather than the Stuttgart Radio Symphony, we would have a world-beater on our hands; as it is, this set is a mandatory acquisition for all Mahler enthusiasts.
Not being as much of a Strauss enthusiast, my comments on the generous coupling (though a fairly long work, Strauss's tone poem seems almost dwarfed by Mahler's sprawling symphonic behemoth) will be brief. In general, Schuricht favors a sprightly sprint of an Alpine hike, rather than a slow trudge or meandering stroll. Think Solti rather than Karajan. The SWR/Stuttgart ensemble play splendidly on this occasion (they must have known this work far better than the Mahler Third, which was something of a novelty for a provincial German orchestra circa 1960), with vivid wind solos, fairly sumptuous strings, and majestic, but never blaring, brass. The vision from the summit is appropriately awe-inspiring, and the storm sequence imposing; though both episodes are given with a salutary restraint, they are all the more effective for not being too attention-grabbing. As the hikers conclude their journey, Schuricht succeeds in giving an uncanny sense of massive but unseen strength dimly perceived through gathering darkness. An appropriately chilling but never melodramatic conclusion to a work that invites--and often receives--mauling at the hands of superficially showy conductors. If Strauss's Alpine Symphony has hitherto failed to move you, then maybe Schuricht's disciplined and (relatively) restrained approach may awaken you to its splendors.
The sound in both performances (one a live concert, the other a broadcast) is astonishingly good--well up to the mostly high standards of this estimable series from Hänssler.
Strongly recommended, especially for the uniquely enlivening Mahler Third."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1