Search - Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, Jennie Tourel :: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Lieder

Bernstein in an Historical Recording of Mahler's Third Symph

Michael A Pahre | Cambridge, MA | 05/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bernstein is rightly regarded as the conductor who championed all of Mahler's symphonies in the 1960s when most were unfamiliar to audiences. That so many Mahler symphonies appear each year on every American orchestra's schedule is one of the great, but often overlooked, Bernstein legacies. His recordings of all the Mahler symphonies in the 1960s was an historical landmark, and the lesser-known of the symphonies (such as the 3rd, 6th, and 9th) had the most to gain by their new found exposure at the hands of a master conductor at the top of his form.The New York Philharmonic musicians in 1961 were probably far less familiar with the long and complicated Mahler's 3rd than they are today. As an apparent result, there are many places throughout the performance where everything doesn't quite line up correctly. There are several key, extended solos in the 3rd symphony---the violin and posthorn (trumpet) solos are outstanding, but the trombone solo suffers from inconsistent intonation (as do the trumpet and horn sections elsewhere).The orchestra plays quite well throughout---particularly the woodwind section---and Bernstein leads them in a well constructed and often joyous performance. The first movement has a very nice pace to it and an exciting ending. The 3rd movement, however, seems a bit labored and slow, rather than rolling along with the lilting pastoral feeling at its heart. The finale is extremely successful in Bernstein's hands, with a slow and measured pace leading up to a gorgeous climax.At times Bernstein seeks the broad gesture instead of carefully crafted ensemble work from his musicians. I had very high expectations of this recording when I purchased it, primarily because it has been so favorably mentioned over the years. The recording is exciting and well worth investigating, but I was still slightly disappointed that it did not live up to my hyped-up expectations.While this recording may be of particular interest to Bernstein fans or Mahler afficionados, it is not the best recording of the 3rd symphony around. Better to buy Horenstein's with the London Symphony Orchestra or James Levine's with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; apparently Salonen's recording with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra is fine, but I was not overwhelmed when I heard them perform the work live.The recording is supplemented by a series of songs: one from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (another poem from this set is used in the 5th movement of the 3rd symphony); the three Rueckert-Lieder; and the desolate Kindertotenlieder. All are well sung by Jennie Tourel and convey the beauty of Mahler's compositional style even in the shorter forms."

Very good overall

Michael A Pahre | 01/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Interpretively this is an excellent recording. Bernstein broke a lot of new ground with this release in the 60's. The ensemble is not as good as in Bernstein's second version, but the many of the solos and the general sound of the orchestra are better in this version. One thing that surprised me was two audible coughs, one in the first movement and one in the last. Considering this is a studio recording this is very surprising. Overall, this is a great recording to own, but if you only want one version of this, there are other performances available that are more insightful. check out Bernstein's second recording, Salonen's new recording with the LA Phil, Horenstein's with the London Symphony, or Lopez-Cobos's with the Cincinnati symphony."

A Mahler 3rd to treasure

Arnout Koeneman | 08/10/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is especially nice to have this 1961 recording back in the catalog. The playing is very representative of the NY Philharmonic during that portion of the Bernstein years. In particular, the playing of first trumpeter John Ware is atmospheric in the famed posthorn solo in movement 3. This has helped give a cult status to the recording and establish it as a benchmark, albeit an analog benchmark.The remastering is very good, making this a worthy addition for the collector."