5/5 Reviewing just the Mahler (for now)
  by B. Guerrero
Let me be honest: I got this for the Mahler, and it's excellent. I'll look at the Beethoven concerto some time down the road. But for me, this was my best encounter with the Mahler first in a long, long time. Even though I didn't agree with every interpretive decision that Fabio Luisi made, he knew exactly what he wanted, and exactly how to express what he wanted to the Dresdeners via his hands, eyes, and face. This guy is amazing.

As such, this is my third encounter with Luisi. The first two were the Bruckner 9th and Richard Strauss' "Alpine" symphony; both on Sony, and both of those are excellent. But then again, the Staatskapelle has had a long history with both Bruckner and Strauss. But I think this orchestra was also born to play the Mahler 1st. In fact, they've already made two very good commercial recordings of M1: one with Otmar Suitner in 1962 (sans expo repeat), and one with Hiroshi Wakasugi in 1986 (I own that one). However, both are now hard to find. I want to cover some specifics, so indulge me in some subjective blather first.

You see, Mahler 1 is basically two symphonies in one. First, there's the obvious stuff: the whooping horns and tricky timpani rhythms at the end of the first movement; the sherzo at full sail; the blustering brass and percussion at both ends of the finale. But then there's plenty of music that's a total opposite to all that: the woodwind fanfare figures near the start of the first movement (which get recapitulated in the finale); the "cozy to the point of sounding lazy" - yet totally playful - middle section of the scherzo; the beautiful "Lindenbaum" melody for soft strings and harps in the third movement; the gentle moments of refrain and reflection in the finale. These moments provide the greatest possible contrast to the music that one normally associates with Mahler: tons of brass and percussion. In this performance, the Staatskapelle cover both Mahlers thoroughly, and terrifically at that. Their strings, woodwinds, brass (not overbearing), and percussion - all four of these departments are excellent throughout the performance. Luisi focuses on these contrasts, and thus drives the point of this schism within the symphony. This is the youthful and impetuous Mahler, but fully capable of self reflection when called for. There are a pair of slightly controversial decisions on Luisi's part, and I may as well cover those now.

At the start of the slow movement, Luisi has the double bass solo - or what used to be considered a solo - played "soli" (the entire bass section). This is becoming more common now, as some evidence has surfaced for its justification. For me, this is a total non-issue, as I've never been a big fan of the "creeky" sounding solo bass anyway. It doesn't make that passage sound louder, just "smoother". Some may wince at that idea, but I find it less distracting. And the other choice I'm singling out will probably be more bothersome to a number of folks: in the slow movement, Luisi conducts the East European village band passages (they're brief), far faster than usual. Thus, once again, making a big contrast to the slow and soft music that surrounds it, and making those passages sound even more Klezmer-like than usual. It's different, and I wouldn't want to hear it done that way every time. But for a change, it was quite interesting, and worked quite well. By the way, in the final few bars of the finale, the timpani and bass drum rolls sound nice and fat - just as they should (and often times don't).

I'm beginning to ramble, so the bottom line is this: this is a terrific one-off of the Mahler first, captured on tour in the new concert hall in Munich (am Gasteig). As for the Beethoven first concerto, I'm sure it's fine too. The sound and picture are both excellent on this DVD, with good camera work decisions in the Mahler (very important!).

All that said, this DVD does face some pretty stiff competition, especially if you're wanting to own just one DVD of the Mahler 1st. First off, on DG, you can get Bernstein's highly idiomatic Mahler 1 (Vienna Phil.) coupled to a decent performance of Mahler 4, with Edith Mathis singing in the final movement. On Philips, you can get Bernard Haitink's far more straight-laced (poker faced, really) Mahler 1 with the Berlin Phil., coupled to an even better performance of Mahler's huge "Resurrection" symphony (#2). The picture and sound are better on the Haitink than on the Bernstein (it's far more recent), but not so the conducting. Either one of those will do just fine. I'm very happy with this Luisi/Dresden effort.

Now it's time for my gratuitous editorial jab: I find it interesting that Bernard Haitink chose to, more or less, reject the Staatskapelle Dresden. Based on the evidence of recent recordings, I would say that both the Staatskapelle, and Fabio Luisi (he looks a little like Roberto Benigni!), got the better end of that deal. Let's hope they come back in a few years time, and turn in an earthy yet exciting Mahler 3 (Abbado has fully covered the "heavenly" aspect).

5/5 The Staatskapelle Dresden are the reason to buy this DVD
  by Mike Birman (Brooklyn, New York USA)
The Staatskapelle Dresden are one of the truly great unsung German orchestras. There are several superb German orchestras that have unfortunately been overshadowed by their proximity to two of the world's finest: The Berlin Philharmonic and The Vienna Philharmonic. The Dresdeners have a distinctive, slightly rustic quality that informs all of their performances of the core symphonic literature; producing a more rhythmic and propulsive version of these well known works with all of the qualities of the dance intact. Wolfgang Sawallisch was a particularly splendid partner with the Staatskapelle, producing recordings of the Schumann Symphonies that - to my ears at least - have never been surpassed.

This pairing of the Mahler First and the jaunty Beethoven First Piano Concerto is an excellent one. The Mahler is the most Classically austere of all of Mahler's creations with a lyricism and propulsive beauty that he rarely equaled in his later more subjective works. The Staatskapelle Dresden under Fabio Luisi do an excellent job of building tension throughout the symphony; leading up to my favorite Mahlerian finale with its thrilling, horn-driven conclusion. As presented on this DVD it is a performance that is always taut, never slack, with an almost Italianate arioso charm in the lengthy 'Freres Jacques' slow movement. This is one of the finer Mahler First Symphonies available and if you love the work you will treasure this performance.

The Beethoven First Piano Concerto - which is actually his second in compositional order - is heavily indebted to Mozart. The work is a product of Beethoven's mid-twenties when he was still coming to terms with that great Viennese master as well as his erstwhile teacher, Franz Joseph Haydn. It is not as weighty a work as either the great Fourth or Fifth Concertos but it is always charming and energetic. This DVD features an entertaining performance, beautifully played by pianist Margarita Hohenrieder. She is blessed with splendid technique: her playing is athletic, expressive and exhibits unusual stylistic maturity. A strong performance that is worth repeated listening. She also includes an encore, playing a short work by a composer I am unfamiliar with.

Both picture and sound are exemplary as is usually the case with EuroArts DVDs. This disc is definitely worth investigating if you enjoy these two works.

Mike Birman



3/5 Very musical but not inspired
  by HB (Fort Mill, SC)
One of the problems with producing a highly refined classical musical performance is the performance may lose spontanaiety. That is the problem with both performances here. The playing is very beautiful but its lacks drama and passion, especially the Beethoven. The soloist is a great technician but she rarely lets herself go and simply have fun. Only in the finale does she allow herself some interpretive freedom. The first two movements are basically dull, although played almost perfectly.

The Mahler does not reach any great heights either. The performance is exciting for only the last 10 minutes. The orchestral playing is exceptional but this is not fully realised Mahler.

The technical side of this DVD is outstanding with great photography and direction, the best I have yet to see. The Munich venue is simply gorgeous.

Mahler's 100th anniversary of his death is coming in 2011. Maybe that will generate some great Mahler DVDs.