Mahler: Symphony No. 8 (incl. BD)

“Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. There are no more human voices, only planets and suns revolving in their orbits,” wrote Gustav Mahler to his friend Willem Mengelberg, after completing the sketches for his Symphony No.8. The legendary relationship between Mahler, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Mengelberg has established a firm tradition of playing Mahler in Amsterdam. Mariss Janson’s’s brilliant interpretation of the Symphony of a Thousand is yet another jewel in the crown of the Concertgebouw’s acclaimed Mahler cycle. Featuring a star-studded cast and excellent choral forces, this superb performance is offered in surround-sound and is accompanied by a bonus Blu-ray disc of the performance.
‘Mariss Jansons delivers a performance of cosmic impact on this recording of Mahler s Eighth Symphony … It immediately takes the lead among interpretations of this phenomenal work … Mariss Jansons is just the man to establish that balance and scope of sonority, volume and timbre, and to harness his forces to a reading of the score that is both thrilling and telling in its emotional finesse and sincerity.’ –Geoffrey Norris, Telegraph 11 July 2013RECORDING OF THE MONTH The playing of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is superb throughout. In the passages where Mahler demands full volume they rise to the occasion every time without ever once sacrificing quality of tone. Where they really come into their own, however, are the more subtly etched stretches of the score..gst many fine solo contributions from the section principals I d like to offer a special word of praise for the beautiful, rounded tone of the principal bassoonist in various solos in Part II. The RCO has a proud Mahler tradition and that tradition is not just upheld but enhanced by this performance. –John Quinn, musicweb-international 13th July 2013EDITOR S CHOICE Jansons is big-hearted… Jansons keeps the music moving and gives himself something to pull back from in the biggest tuttis. The final moments in the approach to the recapitulation of opening statement are truly thrilling- a great welter of sound… Jansons with so much going for him is up there among the select front runners. –Edward Seckerson, Gramophone September 2013