Bernstein Conducts Mahler Symphony No. 6 "Tragic" (1/9)

[GreatFangirlMizu]

at 2:36 i to see a warrior but he is saying goodbye to his sweetheart!

[pointreyes6]

Much better than LB vienna recording

[ericfontainejazz]

Tragic? How about Wicked?

[EDGJZConglomerate]

I think most of the tempi in the interpretation are fine. People criticize Gergiev with taking this movement too fast as well, but I think this particular movement should be taken at this tempo. It is a march. It is not one of Mahler FUNERAL marches though, though grim. Where Gergiev gets the tempi wrong are in the finale, but that's a different argument.

[nuclearRabbit123]

incredible but my favorite will always be Georg Solti and the CSO though Bernstein is my favorite conductor

[drccddmm]

how can a music that begins with such promising hope yet ended with such tragedy note? Brilliant...

[drccddmm]

attended the New York Philharmonic's performance of this piece last week. As expected, Mahler's symphony is complex, majestic, master piece. Was anyone at this concert?

[buttasxyz]

Klaus Tennstedt's Recording is much harsher and more violent, in my opinion it is superior

[BorisGodunov]

@buttasxyz Tennstedt's is ridiculously overwrought, often far too slow and features some noticeably sloppy playing from the LSO. There's a fine line between conducting with passion and engaging in overt histrionics.

[thomas4179]

it's good trumpet !

[philopus94]

What a delight after the dismal Geigev. His tempo is far too fast which leads to some ragged ensemble, and lack of sonority. LSO isn't natural Mahlerlian and can produce none of the dark colours required in this of all symphonies that Abbado gets from the BPO or Enchenbach from the truly world class Philadelphia. Geigev should forget this central European repertoire for the Russian opera he thrives in. The LSO should avoid both having currently not the technical expertise to perform them well.

[BorisGodunov]

@philopus94 Interestingly, many criticize Bernstein for taking this too fast. I think these tend to be people enamored with Barbirolli's lugubrious slog rather than those interested in Mahler's actual tempo markings being followed... ;)

[Martinchancay]

sensacional!!! simplemente una maravillosa obra ..... =)

[bikiniboys]

みなさん、こんばんは

直言極限の時間です

[theman9126]

I think everyone will agree with me on that, this piece is the alpha and omega of all epicness that ever existed in life......my god Mahler........could that guy orchestrate or what?!?!?!?

[tomenicus]

NO, sorry, it's not Strong enough. I liked those performance of George Szell with Cleveland S.O. I always believed, that the tragism of this symhony shoul be understood with a touch of irony. Afterall, first part ends with the major chord!

[chemiah]

@tomenicus Quite true, Szell is spot on with the 6th

[tomenicus]

@chemiah and he conducts that without repetiton, so the first part is shorter (and whole symphony goes on one CD, what is unusual for Mahler's 6th ;-)) And Szell works very suprisingly on the tempo. Great, just great.

[HPTX911]

I believe Mahler can really feel that sorrow...

[japanesesweet]

Thanks for uploading this famour recording- it has lots of energy but i prefer Bernstein`s mentor-Mitropulous (WDR symph orch.) less polished but digs deeper...it was like hearing the piece for the first time.

[BorisGodunov]

I find this version superior to the DG version, actually. The DG performance is overwrought, and then tempi far too slow in many places.

[a1nevare]

Yes this is quite fun to listen to, but it's even more fun to play this symphony! Mahler's works are simply breathtaking (literally, it's a work out to play it!) and very beautiful. You can really hear the story in his music. These musicians are amazing, and play with such sensitivity to this piece of music. I could go on....lol

[Ipluckithard]

I believe this is laughter ....at the hero...is Mahler is mocking him...I think so! 0.22

[solfegea440]

@Ipluckithard I think the point is that Mahler, "the hero," is the one being mocked.

[vonfrancois]

@Ipluckithard Hahaha! Indeed!! I so know this symphony, I didn't even realize that! Thanks for enlighting me!

[herblich1]

Probably my favourite symphony ever written. The way Mahler increases the tension and creates such a special, almost frightening mood, always astonishes me. And I think this tempo represents the nervous feeling much better...

I especially like the sudden optimistic, lyrical passage between 3:57 and 4:23. Thanks for sharing!

[EDGJZConglomerate]

@herblich1 Agreed. Probably my favorite symphony as well. It's masterful. It's destructive. It's romantic. It's tragic.

[apexxxx10]

DG : Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label, now part of the Universal Music Group.

Source: Wikipedia.

John K Lingren

CarSanook

Bangkok...

Where Mahler's 5th was recently performed by Bangkok Opera and conducted by Somtow Sucharitkul

[maestrokoury]

Not that Bernstein is not the greatest conductor-composer ever, but I think his tempo for this movement is a little too hurried!

[Szabo517]

As I generally agree around the 3:10, the whole piece seems well balanced tempo-wise, for me at least.

[laredviolin]

I love this piece.

[mahlerite]

A bleak and pessimistic movement, and militaristic because of the side drum. I can picture a soldier preparing for battle in anguish. One can count on Bernstein to manifest deep expressiveness in Mahler's works.

[Sinfoniette]

As much I love Mahler and Bernstein, I simply have to say that this is not as great as the DG recording. The very bleak movement is quite hysterical here; this does not sound 'tragic'! I will soon have to buy the DG recording...

[Sinfoniette]

But my favorite part lies on the last movement...

[dyslexius]

Is this the NY Philharmonic recording?

[EDGJZConglomerate]

@Sinfoniette I have to agree with you. That last movement is one of the most spectacular works of music ever written. The tragedy is Shakesperean. It's unfair how Mahler plays with your emotions.

[EDGJZConglomerate]

@mahlerite I love the concept of battle between love and death. The bleakness is ferocious, yet the love is so romantic. And this particular chooses to end in an incredibly uplifting explosion of love. Just makes the finale that much more tragic. Love it.