Search - Gustav Mahler, Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No. 1

Wow.

Peter Pirotte | Kansas City, MO | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Mahler's 1st has become my new favorite. Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony give a dramatic and charged performance that truly stands above the rest. The musicians perform brilliantly and Thomas keeps you on the edge of your seat during every exhilirating minute of every movement. The triumph in the last movement has never been more glorious. Keep an eye out for other Mahler performances from MTT and the SFS."

The best Mahler First Symphony ...

Pater Ecstaticus | Norway | 02/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... along with maybe Chailly and the Royal Concergebouw Orchestra (Decca). But possibly, this performance is even better. Anyhow, ensemble of playing is simply INCREDIBLE here (as in the whole of this SFSO/Michael Tilson Thomas Mahler Cycle actually), this conductor completely in charge of every detail and nuance, making this Mahler First sound very much alive and fresh. The recorded sound-stage is wide and very natural, with plenty of 'air' around the instruments (I am only able to listen to this CD in two channel stereo format, but it all does sound great).

About the individual movements. The first movement starts out atmospheric and fresh, with crisp fanfares. The whole movement is charged with youthful energy and has a nice 'spring' to it. The floodgates are really opened at the very end with one of the most exultantly energetic perorations one ever heard!

The country dance of the second movement is beautifully and powerfully characterized; with nice slides here and there, enhancing the jauntines. Brass is appropriately piercing here as well (as everywhere). In the trio, Mr. Tilson Thomas makes wonderfully tasteful use of rubato. Everything is delightfully characterized. Just savor the beauty of the delightful descending string figure at the very end of the trio, just before the horn again picks up the main theme of the scherzo ...

In the third movement, the there is a beautiful characterization of the original klezmer-dance influences in the 'village band episode': exquisitely tasteful use of slides and rubato here as well! This music really dances along here, with flowing legato lines, but with an appropriate amount of nostalgia and melancholy as well. The quotation from the last of the Songs of a Wayfarer ('Die Zwei Blauen Augen', at the moment where the hero lies down under the linden tree and for the first time finds rest of the soul ...) is as perfectly characterized as can be, Mahler indicating it should be played 'sehr einfach und sehr schlicht wie eine Volksweise' ('Very simple and very slight like a folktune'): exactly as is done here ...

The final movement comes crashing in strongly, really sounding like the 'outcry of a wounded heart' Mahler describes, setting the tone for the ensuing row of fierce battles against Fate. The first chorale is ardent and full of hope, leading to a truly astoundingly beautifully played moment of reflection and repose at 'Sehr langsam' ('Very slow'), with beautifully characterized 'free' flute figures (anticipating the later Mahler)! After this, there is an energetic build-up towards the final triumphant chorale, Mr. Tilson Thomas whipping up every possible ounce of strength from the orchestra, while staying in complete charge over the proceedings.

All in all, to me, this recording has the best of all possible worlds: extreme beauty of playing, freshness and truthfulness of vision, and a conductor who keeps tight rein on all of the orchestral forces. Like so many of Tilson Thomas' new San Francisco Symphony Mahler recordings - and (up to now) especially the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Symphony - the beauty and crispness of playing combined with intelligent and stylish conducting never ceases to amaze me! Truly invigorating! IMHO, this truly is THE one Mahler First Symphony to own (beside just a few others)!"

IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!

J. Poss | Pahrump, Nevada | 02/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Performance:

This performance and recording of Mahler's 1st left me breathless. I don't want to reveal the interpretive surprises and ruin it for you, but what I will say is that Michael Tilson Thomas's nuances, phrasing, inflections, and dramatic sense work together to make this the most beautiful AND electrifying performance I've ever heard of this work. During the first movement I could feel my heart grow and my eye's swelled up with tears of joy and I could not help but giggle. The sadness of the 3rd movement grew heavy on my heart and the overcoming of something devastating overwhelmed me and took my breath away in the finale!



The Recording:

This was one of the first all DSD recordings released by The San Francisco Symphony's house label and the engineers have really done an outstanding job. I listened to this in Super Audio 5.1 channel surround and I can tell you that no other Super Audio CD or DVD-Audio recording has made me feel like I was really there in the concert hall than this one. You're sitting front row center with the orchestra spread out right in front of you. I've been to many live concerts at the Chicago Symphony and this recording comes closest to that experience. Finally, strings that sound like STRINGS and clarinets like live clarinets and brass like LIVE BRASS, timpani like real timpani, etc. The timbre of all the instruments is so life like. This recording has a very wide dynamic range but the crescendos did not hurt my ears like regular CDs or other SACDs, instead they delighted my ears!!!!



Conclusion:

BUY THIS SUPER AUDIO CD!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SUPER AUDIO CD PLAYER, BUY ONE JUST TO LISTEN TO THIS RECORDING!!!!



Equipment Used:

Denon DVD-2200 DVD/Super Audio player, Speakers - Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 for front, Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 for surround, Wharfedale Diamond 9.CM for center, and a cheap Audio Source sub-woofer for Low Frequency Effects. I used 3 seperate stereo integrated amplifiers, the Sansui AU-919 for Front Channel, a Sansui AU-D9 for center and low frequency effects channels and a Sansui AU-317 for surround channels.



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