Mahler #6

If I have a weakness amongst all of Mahler's symphonies it is for the 6th.
Not only is it the most tragic, even heralding the later tragedies that were
to befall Mahler, but it is the one symphony, like another 6th
(Tchaikovsky), that ends in utter defeat. Cathartic maybe, but it pulls no
punches. It also contains the most glorious slow movement ever written, and
some of Mahler's very best music. To these ears.

Last night I listened to 2 more versions of this work, (and I am not really
a duplicator as such, except when it comes to Haydn and Mahler's 6th).

The two versions I listened to last night, were Karajan's BPO Mahler 6th
(1977/8), and Barbirolli's EMI studio New Philharmonia account of about ten
years earlier.

I listened to HvK's version first, the one with the rainbow on the front
cover. From a slightly tentative and lightweight beginning, the first
movement gains in momentum, and weight. The slow movement is simply
glorious, and crowned by a superb finale. There is a sweep here that is just
unforgettable, despite DG's rather boomy-ish sound (not disastrous by a long
chalk), and a flow, that simply disarms any real criticism. The final bars,
as the trombones set the tone for the complete demise, is jawdropping. Btw,
HvK has the order of Scherzo - Andante on the CD, favoured by many
conductors, but not by Mahler himself, or Janson's/Live LSO version either.

Coming to Barbirolli immediately afterwards, was, in retrospect a mistake I
feel. He feels more deliberate in the first movement, and slower, but in
actually fact, Herbie takes a tad longer as far as timing goes. Barbirolli's
recording is far more analytical, and clear, free from the slight boominess
of the DG recording, although I am not sure I really wanted to adjust so
soon after HvK's rendition. And I am sure I heard some groaning from Sir
John as well. Perhaps another night. As far as middle movement order is
concerned, Barbirolli's CD version is Andante - Scherzo, and swapped from
the way it was on LP. In addition, Barbirolli also followed Mahler's wishes,
in that in live performances he played the Andante first.

But Karajan's M6 is quite stunning. It really impacts, as any Mahler 6th
should, and a notch in Herbie the K's belt.

Anyone agree? Or disagree?

Ray H
Taree


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Relevant Pages

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