Credits:

Mahler (1860-1911)

Description:

The first volume of the new Mahler series, "The Best Mahler Performances of My Life by Gielen," is the unusually radical No. 5 by the 40s, 41-year-old Gielen, who lives up to his nickname as a "cold-blooded conductor" and is full of thorough and "relentless" Gielen passages. He is extreme and direct. The contrast is strong, with no hesitation or restraint whatsoever. This is truly a strange performance. Gielen, who has become a giant as an authority on Mahler, will release only those performances that he himself selected and was purely musically satisfied with. The first concert is Mahler No. 5, which leaves an unforgettable impression right from the start. This is the Mahler that he strongly recommends. It is a true treat to listen to. From the fanfare by trumpet at the beginning of the first movement, it is very cynical. The highlight is the scherzo. What a tremendous sharpness. The antiphonal melody is so overdone. And in the coda, all the voices run through at high speed while keeping a firm tone pattern. This is truly "relentless" Gielen's style. After this sharp movement, there is an adagietto, whose soft tone provides a strong contrast, but it thoroughly dislocates the emotion of the work and forces the structural consciousness to the full surface. It is truly an odd performance.It is a pleasure to receive such a thorough message of his will as a living testimony of an artist. and Mr. Atsushi Suzuki also highly praised it. King International Inc.