Munchner Rundfunkorchester - Wilms: Symphony No. 6, Op. 58; Overtures - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ensemble Charivari Agreable - Sultan & the Phoenix [COMPACT DISCS] date 07/24/2001

Among Simon Rattle's first concert programmes as the new chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra was Gustav Mahler's Sixth Symphony. The performances marked the beginning of a new chapter in Mahler interpretation, for Rattle, like his predecessors Jansons, Maazel and Kubelik, is an ardent admirer of the composer. BR-KLASSIK has now released the live recording of the concerts.Gustav Mahler's Sixth Symphony is perhaps the darkest work he ever wrote - it's nickname is InchThe TragicInch. And there is something almost destructive about the final movement. InchBut strangely enough, Inch says Simon Rattle, Inchit is also a very classical symphony. Yes, it is extreme, but for long stretches it is less wild than other works of his - although of course it does convey a harrowing message. But it's like a lot of great works there are always different ways of reading them. I've been conducting the Sixth for forty years now, and over time I've come to realise that it also contains hope.InchMahler composed his Sixth Symphony during the summers of 1903 and 1904 at his Inchcomposer's cottageInch in Maiernigg, near Klagenfurt. At the Vienna performance in 1907 (the third under his baton), he called it the InchTragic SymphonyInch - a nickname that soon became the stuff of legend. In particular, the darkness and devastating hopelessness of the finale - written at a time when he was at the high point of his life, both professionally and personally - are puzzling. Even his wife Alma could not quite explain the contradiction. As always, it was in and through music that Mahler came to terms with his experiences, exploring themes such as farewell, the meaning of existence, death, redemption, the afterlife, and love.More than other Mahler works, the Sixth Symphony is committed to InchclassicalInch symphonic form it is in four movements and has no vocal parts. Despite all th

Indeed, Vienna is so rich in composers [...], that it is but just to allow it to be, among German cities, the imperial seat of music, as well as of power. Sir Charles Burney, the famous observer of European music, was quite correct. This city on the Danube was bubbling over with talents and masters who all made their livelihood there. This included Johann Baptist Wanhal, one of the innumerable Bohemians that tried their luck in the shadow of the court palace. He contributed many beautiful pieces to his preferred medium of instrumental music. The small selection of the present production alone well demonstrates that Wanhal was able to hold his own in the symphonic genre next to Joseph Haydn, who was seven years his senior. Subtle orchestral colours, a fine sense for dramatic events, especially in the minor keys, and striking melodies are characteristic of the creations that were enjoyed not only in the old imperial city.