MAHLER

Symphony No. 9 in D

 

I.    Andante Comodo

II.  Im Tempo eines gemächlichen Ländler. Etwas täppisch und sehr derb. Poco piu mossu subito – Ländler, ganz langsam

III. Rondo. Burleske (Allegro assai. Sehr trotzig – presto)

IV.  Adagio (Sehr langsam)

 

Total playing time: [83:35]

 

Berliner Philharmoniker / Simon Rattle

 

Praise for the Berliner Philharmoniker and Simon Rattle’s Mahler Symphony No. 9 concert performance in Salzburg, August 29, 2007:

 

‘Absorbed in Mahler down to the last fibre: Simon Rattle

 

‘Sir Simon Rattle has once again demonstrated his great affinity for this music and his ability to recreate it in the most thrilling fashion.[...] It is hardly possible to imagine a realization of this music at once more moving and more menacing. The finale was heavenly, with the Berliners pulling out all the stops. Outstanding solo playing, subtly savoured colours, saturated and warmly sonorous wind chords and a pianissimo that died away into utter oblivion – all these contributed to making this a sensational concert.’

– Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, August 29, 2007

 

Simon Rattle began recording the Mahler symphonies for EMI Classics in 1987, the first foray being Symphony No. 2 with the CBSO, and the subsequent cycle has seen great critical success. Gramophone said of Sir Simon’s earlier recording of Mahler 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for EMI: “How thrilling it is to hear the score projected at white heat! This is at various times the loudest, softest, fastest and slowest Mahler Ninth on disc.” And the magazine commented on his Mahler 10 recording with the BPO, which was his first Mahler with the orchestra: “Rattle makes the strongest possible case for an astonishing piece of revivification that only the most die-hard purists will resist. Strongly recommended.”

 

With over 225k sales to date, his recordings of Mahler 5 and 10 with the BPO have certainly been a huge hit, and this new recording of Symphony No. 9 is sure to be just as successful amongst his many fans.

 

EMI 2cds 5012282