Mahler Symphony No. 1: LSO Live Conductor Valery Gergiev creates a masterful blend of sound in his recording with the London Symphony Orchestra “Mahler Symphony No. 1”
Artists: London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev Album: Mahler Symphony No. 1: LSO Live Grade: 3.5 stars
Anyone familiar with conductor Valery Gergiev knows that he's keen on drawing bold and descriptive music from all the orchestras he conducts.
So it's no surprise that Gergiev does just that in this provocative recording of Mahler's First Symphony with the orchestra he leads -- the London Symphony Orchestra.
On this recording, Gergiev draws a moderate and relaxed tempo from the LSO musicians, with thoughtful phrasings. Where you would expect explosions of sound and conflict, the kind that are usually offered at the end of the First Movement, you get finely drawn and spoken musical statements. This removes that all-too- common temptation for bombast and melodrama.
The result is an account of Mahler's majesty at manipulating instruments. Every instrument is well accounted for here, from the flinty ping of the triangle to the bold eruption of the timpani.
It's a masterful blend of sound, if not an overly powerful one. But make no mistake: This CD is not lacking in drama, despite all the fine touches. In the fiery final movement, Gergiev and the musicians of the LSO summon enough fire and brimstone to sell all of Mahler's climactic intentions.
The only drawback to the recording is that you have to turn this baby up loud to get the point that Gergiev is making with Mahler's music.
