Perhaps the most underestimated of the great conductors, Michael Gielen (1927-2019) here leads an uncompromising/penetrating account of Mahler 6, not the only way of interpreting this mighty score, and it wasn’t Gielen’s only way either. Pejoratively, not everyone will appreciate Gielen’s analytical approach (on this Salzburg occasion), even though so much is opened up; however, for me, the first movement is spot-on in terms of tempo: the marked energico equating not to speed (cf Bernstein, Karajan) but more to a programmatic dogged determination to take-on the elements and win; and anyway it’s at much the same tempo as on Barbirolli’s HMV studio recording, the movement only longer in timing given MG observes the lengthy exposition repeat, whereas JB does not. From Gielen the slow movement (placed second, it’s third on his Hänssler recording, see below) is rapt and paradisal, although the following Scherzo does plod somewhat. With the hammer-blows Finale, Gielen and his well-schooled SWR Orchestra are back to individual and illuminating form; compelling listening.
Below, Rob Cowan has interesting words relating to Gielen, they met, and includes his remarks on this Mahler 6.
I was lucky to be in Chicago to hear him conduct this great work: slow movement third as it MUST be for me. The day before he was in the Art Institute enjoying the great collection (‘Grande Jatte’ etc) ; a cultured man.
On reflection, this Gielen post counts as No.6 of the Column’s conductor-composer series. George Szell was the fifth, click on http://www.colinscolumn.com/conductor-composers-5-george-szell-1897-1970-conducts-richard-strausss-metamorphosen-cleveland-orchestra-severance-hall-1968-with-closing-radio-announcement-and-leon-botstein-conduct/ and it will take you to Paul Kletzki (4) who in turn leads to the rest. Col
I should have added a Gielen piece, here is his Ein Tag tritt hervor, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIz1m7BDHHg.
“Ein Tag tritt hervor. Pentaphonie für obligates Klavier, 5 Soloinstrumente und 5 Gruppen von je 5 Musikern mit Worten von Pablo Neruda: “Un día sobresale” (1961-1963)
A day emerges. Pentaphony for obligatory piano, 5 solo instruments and 5 groups of 5 musicians respectively, with words by Pablo Neruda: “Un día sobresale” (1961-1963)
instrumental soloists: Käte Wittlich (piano) – Horst Friedel (vibraphone), Franz Lang (marimba), Wilhelm Bruck (guitar), Tristan Murail (ondes Martenot) & Christoph Grund (harmonium)
vocal soloists: Karlheinz Donauer (reciter), Christine Whittlesey (soprano), Susanne Otto (contralto), Bernhard Gärtner (tenor) & Kurt Widmer (bass)
Members of the SWF-Sinfonieorchester (Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra) Baden-Baden, conducted by the composer
recorded in Baden-Baden, Hans-Rosbaud-Studio des SWF (Hans Rosbaud Studio of Southwest German Radio), September 3-4, 1987″
A really challenging performance, full of revelations. Nothing glib. Gielen a great conductor? Oh yes.