Thursday, September 26, 2024
Barbican Hall, London
A single, fateful, Symphony to open the BBCSO’s 24-25 season, Sakari Oramo, in place as Chief Conductor until at least 2030, leading a tempestuous account of Mahler Six, established immediately with a seemingly too fast tempo for the first movement, yet it worked. The speed surprised though, just as much as Oramo then omitting the exposition repeat. The course of this opening movement was full of tempo and mood contrasts – more so than a ‘classical’ approach would allow, yet it convinced in its distinctive direction, lean timbres, and diversity. Beforehand, one might now have expected the slow movement. Instead it was the Scherzo, also hard-driven and diametrically opposed, details freshly considered (this was Oramo’s first time conducting M6), which grabbed the ears and senses. Given Oramo’s overall approach, the Andante emerged as a much-needed oasis of peace (if restive) and bountiful beauty, with an ecstatic climax. The half-hour Finale, beginning as a slow-burn start to a crusade, from which Fate would emerge victorious, continued to find the SO in top form, with Oramo reinstating the third hammer-blow, and using the original more-complex scoring at this point, reached its zenith by stealth, the plus-one blow doing the most damage in this unpredicted performance that compelled attention.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00235yy
Another conductor who believes he knows better than the composer.
Many conductors: Boulez, Bernstein, Haitink, V Petrenko, Shani, Zander, Bertini, Leinsdorf, Sinopoli, Pappano, Szell, Jarvi, Horenstein, Levi, Currentzis, Nott, Solti, Tennstedt, Chailly, Kubelik, Maazel, Nepotil, Eschenbach, Gielen prefer Mahler’s previous choice and will be aware of Mahler’s change of heart. As I always argue, Wordsworth was totally wrong to keep extending THE PRELUDE when the earlier versions are much greater in artistic impact. Mahler changed the order but had he heard many more performances might he not have reversed his decision? For some of us it sounds just wrong not to have the scherzo follow the 1st movement. Zander’s cd talk makes a fair case for the harmonic link of Andante to the finale though I cannot judge that expertly as a composer like Mr M-W can. Oramo’s explanation of why Mahler doubted his original order was interesting (listen to Mr Skelly’s introduction on BBC Sounds)
I think Bob is also referring to the third hammer-blow, which Mahler removed; and the lack of an exposition repeat.
Thursday was a funny old occasion.
Mahler from a Finn and Sibelius from another Finn.
I opted for Sibelius’s massive Kullervo, far less performed than Mahler 6, a month ago performed at The Proms.
indeed..Zander is quite interesting on this also in his cd talk…not keen on his cycle but the talks can be helpful for amateurs like me…