Another fantastic addition
to the Naxos Historical Great Conductors
series, joining Walter’s versions of
Mahler 9 and Das Lied von der Erde.
The disc opens with
Walter accompanying Desi Halban in Mahler’s
Lieder und Gesange aus der Jugendzeit.
These early songs are here beautifully
performed – Desi Halban has a lively
and radiant voice, and it is interesting
to hear Walter in the role of accompanist
rather than conductor. He very much
plays an unobtrusive second role, allowing
the singer to shine through. Whilst
the piano playing is good, it is nothing
spectacular ... he saves his brilliance
for conducting, it would appear!
This performance of
Mahler’s Fifth Symphony – the world
premiere commercial recording - is reputedly
the one with which the conductor was
most happy. As a personal friend of
Mahler’s, and one who had worked closely
on the symphony’s revision and publication,
I suggest we take his recommendation!
It is, in any case, a superb performance,
full of drive and energy, from the very
first notes punched out by the trumpets
with beautifully enunciated clarity
and force. The sound that Walter creates
is a little thin, hard, harsh and dark,
which suits the music perfectly, and
he takes it at a good pace. The Stürmisch
bewegt section is wild, with rushing
strings, and full of desperation, inescapable
terror and ferocity. As is the case
with all movements except the first,
Walter takes this much faster than most
modern conductors. The Scherzo is a
restless struggle between frantic exhilaration
and the threat and boding that keep
breaking through. The last few notes
of this movement could be slightly cleaner
and snappier, but this is my only criticism
with the whole performance. The famous
Adagietto is notable for its lack of
excess portamento. Instead, Walter imparts
absolute clarity. He doesn’t wallow,
as so many conductors do, but pushes
the movement on, creating a sound that
is vibrant and sobbing without being
over indulgent. It is therefore, if
anything, slightly understated and keeps
total integrity. In the exuberant Rondo,
Walter skips where other conductors
might slush. Taken at a fairly precipitous
speed, this is given an utterly frantic
ending, with a tremendous, heady and
intoxicating sound. Walter allows the
individual instruments to sing out a
lot more clearly and individually than
other conductors, and whilst he doesn’t
endue the work with a great deal of
lyricism, he brings out Mahler’s sense
of humour in the relevant sections.
With excellent sound for 1947, this
is a stunning performance, passionate,
chilling and frenetic. Walter’s clarity
of phrasing and tremendous drive are
both remarkable. This authentic and
stunning disc is a must-have for any
Mahler lover.
Em Marshall
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Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Bruno
Walter. Desi Halban (soprano), Bruno Walter (piano)
