Search - Gustav Mahler, Antoni Wit, Polish Radio and Television National Symphony Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No. 6

A Keeper

Peter MacMillan | Orleans, Ontario Canada | 10/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This version can more than hold its own with other accounts. Actually it is far superior to Karajan's somewhat soul-less and muddy recording. My favorite is still Abbado's recording with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (from 1980?) but this is out of print. Anybody know where I can get a copy of this (apart from the complete cycle)? This is a nice, clear, crisp recording with good overall balance; there are passages where one would want greater intensity, but overall this is a keeper. Tempi are what one would expect, without any monstrous distortions ( à la Berstein). A good middle of the road recording, at a very decent price."

An underrated gem

Sungu Okan | Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey | 09/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance of Antoni Wit (who completed the Mahler cycle on Naxos) with his team - Polis National Radio, played this gigantic symphony succesful. The tempo choices are very good (the opening march is horrific), the finale is tempestous. They played powerful, with the feeling of terror, but somwhere sensitive and impressive too (beautifully phrased Alma Mahler theme). I think, Wit is one of the best Mahler conductors of our time. OK, may be there are more horrific and amazing "old" performances, especially Barbirolli and George Szell, but you cannot go wrong with that recording, this is a very good digital rec. of that symphony, which very difficul to play and perform it.



Mahler's Sixth Symphony called "Tragic" sounds like a sountrack of a horror film! As you know, Sixth Symphony is Mahler's most pessimist work and however written in his happiest years of his life (1904). Because, Mahler married to Alma Schindler, and they had a new girl, named Maria. Even so, this is a propethic work (!). Mahler, used hammer blows (in last movement) explains that his three Fate strokes which will to be in next years of his life. And these Fate strokes are: his daughter's sudden death in 1907 (at age 4!), his departure from Vienna Opera Court and his heart disease!... And then, the composer used cowbells in offstage, too. This explains the Alpine landscapes that impressed Mahler, and extreme loneliness and a mystic atmosphere. Even so, this is only symphony which finishes with dark atmosphere, not with a glory scene. And the last sudden exploding chord of music (in last seconds) usually scares me. The music finishes like a iron curtain falls in scene...



The orchestra is huge (as usual in Mahler): 5 flutists, 5 oboists, 5 clarinettists, 5 basoonsists, 8 horns, 6 trumpets, 4 trombones and a tuba, huge percussion includes bells, gong, hammer, 2 set timpani, 2 harps, celesta and about 50 - 60 strings.



The 1st movement begins like a Nazi March! This "risoluto" and tragic opening continues with a apassionata "Alma" theme, so this movement has a full of drammatic atmosphere. The 2nd movement is Scherzo, and it is I think not a Scherzo, but a "Dance of Death", with devil's laughters, but in Trio section, describes the games of children, but in finish section there is a drammatic explosion and this game melody sounds now when goes away and dying in a whimper... The 3rd movement "Andante moderato" is peaceful music and portrays a illusionary happiness. The amazing Finale is the prophetic movement. It begins as a nightmare - a silent terror, and then continues with a heroic-tragic march. This march portraits the hero (Mahler), but then the three hammer blows (by the way, in that rec. the Hammer Blows are really earth-shattering!), and then defeat and abandons himself to his doom...



This is a performance which worth-to-listening.

Highly recommended."

Excellent recording

A. Yen | MA, USA | 09/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only minor flaws in this recording are weak brass in some important moments, such as the first and second "fate motifs" in the first movement, and the usual "flat" Naxos sound, which reduces the sheer power that the percussion usually give this piece.



However, neither one detracts entirely from this thrilling, chilling performance. The "hammer hits" are appropriately doom-laden. The drama and tension are tremendous in this recording. Highly recommended."