Symphony No. 10 In F Sharp: III. Purgatorio (Allegro Moderato)
Symphony No. 10 In F Sharp: IV. (Scherzo)
Symphony No. 10 In F Sharp: V. Finale
This was one of Simon Rattle's first major recordings, made before he became music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and it remains one of his best interpretively. He leads a viscerally exciting perfor... more »mance of Mahler's 10th Symphony, which incorporates some changes made to Deryck Cooke's final performing version of the unfinished score. Some of these (the cymbal crash at the end of the second movement) are successful, and others (the extra percussion at the climax of the finale) are less so. What's abundantly clear is that the Bournemouth string players are having a hell of time coping with Mahler's and Cooke's merciless demands, but the sense of strain is, arguably, part of the musical message. Rattle is a musician who has consistently failed to live up to his promise, on disc, at least, and it's salutary to recall just how refreshing a conductor he was before a mindlessly adoring English press immunized him against constructive self-criticism and stunted his artistic growth. --David Hurwitz« less
This was one of Simon Rattle's first major recordings, made before he became music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and it remains one of his best interpretively. He leads a viscerally exciting performance of Mahler's 10th Symphony, which incorporates some changes made to Deryck Cooke's final performing version of the unfinished score. Some of these (the cymbal crash at the end of the second movement) are successful, and others (the extra percussion at the climax of the finale) are less so. What's abundantly clear is that the Bournemouth string players are having a hell of time coping with Mahler's and Cooke's merciless demands, but the sense of strain is, arguably, part of the musical message. Rattle is a musician who has consistently failed to live up to his promise, on disc, at least, and it's salutary to recall just how refreshing a conductor he was before a mindlessly adoring English press immunized him against constructive self-criticism and stunted his artistic growth. --David Hurwitz
"until Rattle completely outdid himself with the new BPO recording of this work. The orchestra is better, the sound is better, and the interpretation is deeper and more understanding. I owned this one for years and always enjoyed it. It's now in the trade-in pile."
Make no mistake, this is a complete Mahler symphony...
Michael Glore | St. Louis, MO United States | 12/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of Mahler's Tenth (performing ed. by Deryck Cooke) makes it perfectly clear that the symphony must be considered a completely realized and polished masterpiece. It is Mahler through and through. Those in doubt must simply listen to the opening Adagio. Rattle and the Bournemouth SO are at their superb best, fully aware of the emotional impact their performance will have on the listener--this is some of Mahler's most beautiful music. The wonderful tension culminates in those dreadful, bone chilling discords--my God! Anyone who has been reluctant to listen to the symphony need not tarry any longer. You will NOT be disappointed. You will be drawn to the ultimate conclusion that this is a perfect fulfillment of Mahler's vision for the Tenth."
A Must-Listen for all Mahler fans...
Craig LeHoullier | Raleigh, NC USA | 05/31/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No recording of the music of Gustav Mahler moves me to the degree that this one does. From the other-wordly opening viola theme - surely one of the loneliest phrases ever written - to the final leap of the strings that seems to signify his final reaching out to the world, one is left forever changed by this music.In comparing this recording and interpretation to other Cooke reconstructions (Sanderling, Inbal, Wigglesworth - regrettably I have not yet heard Ormandy, Levine or Chailly), the pacing and instrumentation just feels "right". Three of the noteworthy details from this version, in my opinion, are the earthshattering renditions of "the chord" that mark the emotional acme of the first and final movements, the drum strokes that link the fourth and final movements (beware listening in headphones - these will shake your very bones!), the painfully lovely flute solo at the start of the final movement, and the entire resolution of the final movement, from "the chord" to the end of the symphony.The two other realizations that I own - Mazetti by Slatkin, and Wheeler by Olson from the Mahlerfest event, just don't sound convincingly "Mahler" to me - in places too cluttered, in other places with incorrect orchestration, though each recreation of this perhaps most emotionally powerful of Mahler's symphonies is essestial and fascinating listening. Now, if only the Carpenter recreation of Faberman could be reinstated to the catalog (it came and went in the blink of an eye).Though I find the most interesting music to lie in the first, third and fifth movements, the entire symphony stands with the greatest of Mahler's inspirations, and one can only wonder what this masterpiece would sound like if it were completed by the composer. Nonetheless, we are fortunate to have recordings like this available for us to appreciate - they enhance our world."
Forever an unfinished symphony?
Andrew Iwasyszyn | England | 01/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cooke said himself that Mahler's tenth would never be in itself a complete work of art and all he has done is to put a more substancial form to a thin framework. However, to dismiss this work because of it is a huge mistake. The thematic intent is all Mahler's: Cooke just added some orchestration to some of the movements, but either way it is powerful to the extreme, the climax following the quiet musing in the first movement is arguably the most moving passage written by any composer ever and the way in which it turns full circle and finishes with the adagio, which is warmer than the nineth and with more hope, is just sublime. Rattle is meticulous and at the same time brings out white-hot excitement from the music. He is without doubt the best conductor alive today, especially in this kind of music."
Perfect recording of Mahler's Best Symphony!
mahlerii@aol.com | Richfield, MN | 04/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Deryck Cooke's version of the Mahler 10th has always impressed me. This recording is fabulous, the first one released by Simon Rattle way back in the early 80's. This work is very passionate and heartbreaking, but also has Mahler declaring his love for his wife, whom he was estranged from and later reconciled with. The last movement has some of the most beautiful music Mahler ever wrote. Sound and performance are excellent! Heartily recommended!"