Mahler: Sinfonie No. 6 a-moll

Album review

Simone Young has a number of exceptional SACDs to her credit, chiefly of the late Romantic symphonies of Bruckner and Brahms, which she recorded with the Hamburg Philharmonic on Oehms. As is the case with her previous releases, her insightful interpretation, the orchestra's precise execution, and the label's vivid sound quality make Young's 2012 release of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 6 in A minor, "Tragic," extremely desirable, and this recording surely ranks with her best work. However, there is one point that must be addressed because of a choice that will concern Mahler devotees. Young has ordered the inner movements according to Mahler's late practice of performing the Andante moderato before the Scherzo, the reverse of what is found in the original published score. Even though a number of conductors have adopted this ordering, in the interests of following what is presumed to be the composer's final decision, it alters the carefully constructed tonal scheme of the symphony and seriously throws off its momentum. (There are still defenders of the Scherzo-Andante moderato order, and one fantastic recording that follows it is Antonio Pappano's 2011 recording for EMI.) Apart from this issue, the playing here is extraordinary in its energy and vibrant in its tone colors, and the performance has the depth of emotions and richness of textures that experienced listeners want in this powerful work. Many fans place this symphony among Mahler's finest achievements, and Young has delivered a compelling rendition that does justice to its greatness.
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