Grieghallen
Friday, January 30, 2026
Grieghallen, Bergen, Norway
Returning to the Bergen Philharmonic, now as Honorary Conductor, Edward Gardner led a Mahler Three of symphonic breadth and picturesque/painterly description, doing so with nonchalant flair as Spring emerged out of Winter somewhat contained if expressively, not least in the trombone solos, the Orchestra’s motor ticking over for a traversal that played-down sensationalism and histrionics, and if the movement was short of momentousness, the release achieved in the coda was as inevitable as it was uplifting. The slow-dance curves of the second movement were bathed in nostalgia while its successor was frisky, edgy and liberated having pivoted on a rarefied posthorn (trumpet?) solo from on-high to create a world away, with on either side musical intricacies clarified. Step forward Beth Taylor for the Nietzsche-set fourth movement, a singer notably poised and warmly communicative, timbres ranging from radiant to contralto-sepulchral, and here with well-judged cor anglais glissandos, bells then ringing out from ladies and children if a shame that Gardner over-rid Mahler’s request for boys only, a specific tone precluded by the inclusion of girls, if compensating with a final Adagio that was spacious, intimate and secluded, rising Heavenwards for a sonorous conclusion. Very good sound and camerawork.
Beth Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Women’s voices from Bergen Philharmonic Chorus & Edvard Grieg Kor
Edvard Grieg Guttekor & Edvard Grieg Jentekor