Mahler / Lucerne Orchestra!
My personal learning and understanding of Mahler’s music began when I was a member of an orchestra in Minneapolis, and we worked very hard on the preparation and performance of Mahler’s First Symphony. I still remember these days, as I do most of the music I studied and performed with other orchestras. Subsequently I came to learn and appreciate many other of Mahler’s masterpieces; yet… I am still working on fully understanding his 7th symphony.
The Symphony #6 is one of my favorites, and I achieved my breakthrough in terms of understanding this music on spending a few weeks at the Aspen Music Festival. There I also attended a talk about this work by conductor James Conlon whom I admire greatly.
The music on this DVD was recorded live at the Concert Hall of the Culture and Convention Centre in Lucerne, Switzerland, on the 10th of August, 2006
The Lucerne Festival Orchestra is conducted by Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado has realized a dream with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra: The orchestra, an exclusive ensemble of handpicked orchestral musicians, provides an amazing interpretation of symphonic music with outstanding soloists such as violinist Kolja Blacher, cellist Natalia Gutman and clarinetist Sabine Meyer filling the first desk positions.
Abbado’s performance with the Lucerne Orchestra is glorious, and this latest addition of the Sixth is perhaps the most searching, probing, and desperate Mahler performance of the group of symphonies that he has recorded. This performance shows us the cohesion and uniformity of this ensemble. The results – in my view – are attributed to complete dedication and the attitude which the performers bring to this composition.
“It’s different having best friends together. Everyone is there to enjoy making music, to take pleasure, to play with enthusiasm, with passion. They are prepared to do any crazy thing I ask them for the sake of the music. To fly, to walk through fire.”
…………………Claudio Abbado
“Has there ever been a suaver, more transparent Mahler performance or one in which everything stays so beautifully in tune? … Abbado’s music-making is a celebration of the purest joy.”
……………………..The Gramophone Magazine
Here is a video of the Mahler 6th Symphony, conducted by Mr. Abbado.
Tags: Gustav Mahler, Claudio Abbado, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Symphony #6