Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major (Original 1888 Version) [Live]

Album review

Several conductors who established their bona fides in the field of authentic performance practice have not limited themselves to playing and recording early music; think of such maestros as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, John Eliot Gardiner, or Christopher Hogwood, who have, from time to time, brought out fine recordings of works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. So it should not be too surprising that the historically informed Roger Norrington has indulged in a bit of antiquarian re-creation with Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D major, by producing a version with the originally intended but ultimately discarded Blumine movement. This is not the first time a recording has been made with this light, sentimental piece for chamber orchestra; discs by Simon Rattle, James Judd, Leif Segerstam, and Michael Halasz have it, either as the second movement or offered as an addendum; recordings of Mahler's earlier tone poem Titan (1893) also include Blumine. This seldom-played but charming interlude is de rigueur in a Norrington recording, and its omission would be scandalous. But what makes the rest of this disc worth hearing is debatable: Norrington and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra are competent in technique, clear in details, and occasionally interesting in orchestral effects, but their expressions are less than compelling or exciting when compared to many classic recordings. There is freshness and spontaneity in this live performance from 2004, and listeners may note that the sound is remarkably clear and focused for being captured in concert. But Norrington takes few interpretive risks apart from some unexpected touches of rubato, and inspires little energy and fire except in the final headlong passages where it is inevitable, no matter who is conducting. If you already have a good or great rendition of this work, you can take or leave Norrington's, depending on the need for having the pretty but innocuous Blumine. But neophyte Mahlerians should try other recordings first, and only get Norrington's if nothing else is available.

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