Gustav Mahler – Symphony No.1 “Titan” – Thierry Fischer, Utah Symphony Orchestra (2015) [nativeDSDmusic DSF DSD64/2.82MHz]

Gustav Mahler – Symphony No.1 “Titan” – Thierry Fischer, Utah Symphony Orchestra (2015)
DSF Stereo DSD64/2.82MHz | Time – 00:52:55 minutes | 2,08 GB | Genre: Classical
Official Digital Download – Source: nativeDSDmusic | Digital Booklet |  © Reference Recordings
Recorded: Live September 12 and 13, 2014 at Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah

Older collectors will remember with affection the cycle of Mahler symphonies recorded by Maurice Abravanel and the Utah Symphony Orchestra that began in the 1960s. Those pioneering recordings (the first complete Mahler cycle to be recorded in the USA) not only introduced Mahler to many listeners but raised the profile of this fine Salt Lake City based orchestra.

Now, from the Reference Recordings Fresh! Label, we have a compelling new account of Mahler’s 1st Symphony recorded in state-of-the-art sound from this same orchestra under their current Music Director, the Swiss conductor Thierry Fischer. This was taken from live performances given in the Maurice Abravanel Hall (September 2014)

A glance at the total timing for this SACD (52.55) indicates that Fischer’s performance is towards the swifter end of the spectrum for recordings of this work, suggesting that it is to be the antithesis of lingering indulgence, which indeed proves to be the case. The magical opening pages of the first movement are beautifully controlled with the off-stage trumpets suitably distanced yet absolutely audible. The surprising immediacy of the woodwind entries indicate that the engineers have gone for a closely recorded balance ( possibly to avoid audience noise) but any slight lack of the dreamy atmosphere of Mahler’s ‘Naturlaut’ is more than compensated for by the freshness of the playing and the crisply focused sound. The main body of the movement, with the exposition repeat taken, is beautifully shaped with Fischer conveying the sense of foreboding in the passage from 8.13. The gradual build up to the movement’s final climax is free from any exaggerated slackening of tempo and the final pages are exhilaratingly joyous.

The Ländler Scherzo is trenchant and beautifully articulated by the orchestra with the bass line especially clearly defined. Fischer’s sane tempo maintains the music’s momentum while the Trio section demonstrates both his lightness of touch and masterly control of rubato that gives the music a winning insouciance. The contrasting grotesque funeral march that follows shows the superb quality of the individual players in this orchestra, as first muted double bass then bassoon, cello, bass tuba, clarinet and finally plaintive oboe make their entrances over the steady tread of the timpani. The parodic klezmer passages are suitably telling but never over played.

The raging opening of Fischer’s finale is a roller-coaster ride with fabulous orchestral playing and demonstration worthy sonics that will be seized upon by both audiophiles and Mahlerites alike. The thunderous percussion and incisive brass of the Utah Symphony are absolutely thrilling, but with the appearance of the lyrical second theme (at 3.22) the Utah strings are given the opportunity to show their mettle. This they do with with ravishingly sensitive playing and subtle nuances of dynamics, whilst Fischer’s use of rubato is subtle and free of mannerism. As the material from earlier movements is recalled there is no loss of impetus and the build up to the triumphant final bars is magnificently handled, the coda capped with a room-shaking bass drum.

The recording team from Soundmirror, Boston (Dirk Sobotka, John Newton and Mark Donahue) have, as usual, worked their magic and, as I have already indicated, produced a 5.1 multi-channel recording (64fs DSD) of astonishing tonal richness, clarity and presence.

On the basis of this recording there is little doubt that Thierry Fischer is a Mahler interpreter of some stature and the projected recording of Mahler’s 8th Symphony in February 2016, scheduled for release in 2017, will be eagerly anticipated. ~~ Review by Graham Williams “HRAudio.net”

Tracklist:
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 1 in D Major “Titan”:
1 I. Langsam. Schleppend. Wie ein Naturlaut -Immer sehr gemächlich 15:26
2 II. Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell 7:41
3 III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen 10:46
4 IV. Stürmisch bewegt 18:59

Personnel:
Utah Symphony Orchestra
Thierry Fischer, conductor

Download:

mqs.link_MahlerSymphnyN.1ThierryFischer2015DSD64.part1.rar
mqs.link_MahlerSymphnyN.1ThierryFischer2015DSD64.part2.rar
mqs.link_MahlerSymphnyN.1ThierryFischer2015DSD64.part3.rar