Mahler: Symphony No.6/R Strauss: Heldenleben

This is one of the great Mahler recordings from one of the champions of the Mahler renaissance in the 1960's. The playing of the New Philharmonia is rich and assured and Barbirolli's direction is all of a piece with his understanding of the tragic weight of the work. Be sure: this is an almost indispensable recording if you are interested in the the development of today's Mahler tradition of performance.

The very opening of the symphony is much slower and weightier than is usual. The exposition repeat is omitted here and because of the unusual amount of detail that one hears and the rather slow tempo, this does not seem much of a loss. The rest of the movement - and indeed the rest of the symphony - is a huge struggle with dark fate. This is endlessly fascinating: a unique take on a very difficult symphony to interpret. Well worth buying for its historical importance alone!

The recording quality is good - especially in the remastering - though nothing can approach the wonderful (but very expensive) Eschenbach recording Mahler: Symphony No. 6; Piano Quartet [Hybrid SACD] for fine recorded sound. No matter: this is still remarkably good and very well worth the money.

In order to avoid confusion please note that there are TWO different ways you can buy this Mahler performance and that this particular disc is the way that I recommend you do it. The coupling of Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben" is also a magnificent example of "Glorious John's" work - very characterful and engaging. Also, this particular version has the Adagio placed second and the Scherzo placed third, which was the way that Barbirolli performed it live. The versions that have Strauss' "Metamorphosen" as the coupling Symphony No. 6/Metamorphosen (Barbirolli, New Po) and Mahler: Symphony No. 6; Richard Strauss; Metamorphosen are either more expensive or they have the movement order of Scherzo followed by Adagio - which was how the original LP recording were issued (and with this coupling). "Metamorphosen" is a fine performance by the way but the "Heldenleben" is a greater one. Your choice may be influenced by these factors but if you get a version with the Scherzo/Slow Movement configuration then I refer you to the original notes for the black discs "...the home listener is uniquely able to choose which order is more acceptable in a way that the concert-goer is not."

Whichever you choose, the Mahler is an unquestionably great performance and deserves to be heard.

Two historic recordings from one of the greatest English conductors. Sir John Barbirolli is marvellous in both works. Made in 1960's, sound quality is very good, and performances are in high cult status.

Richard Strauss and his Ein Heldenleben recorded with London Symphony Orchestra. This gorgeous symphonic poem, as you know, is an autobiographical work of composer, so, The Hero (of course) is himself and his enemies are music critics (of course!).

This work was scored for large orchestra: quadruple woodwinds, 8 horns, 5 trumpets (2 E-flat, 3 B-flat), 3 trombones, 2 tubas, timpani, cymbals, snare drum, tenor drum, bass drum, 2 harps, strings. In other words: approx. 110 musicians...

The performance is excellent, the violin solo (imagine that Composer's Wife) is amazing and the solo of E-flat Trumpet (in 4th movement) is very good. THe War Scene is terrific, amazing. And, I think, the most impressive movement of this work is the last movement - The Retreat of Hero and his Death. In last seconds, there is a noble finale -crescendo to reach to Fortissimo and then a diminuendo to reach to Pianissimo- of all winds, which tells that, the last breath and the death with peace of mind.

Mahler's Sixth Symphony called "Tragic" recorded with New Philharmonia Orchestra. This performance is very majestic, not so flamboyant as Bernstein, but this reading is powerful and impressive. Real Mahlerians should have this recording, I think. Even so this symphony sounds like a sountrack of a horror film! As you know, Sixth Symphony is Mahler's most pessimist work and however written in his happiest years of his life (1904). Because, Mahler married to Alma Schindler, and they had a new girl, named Maria. Even so, this is a propethic work (!). Mahler, used hammer blows (in last movement) explains that his three Fate strokes which will to be in next years of his life. And these Fate strokes are: his daughter's sudden death in 1907 (at age 4!), his departure from Vienna Opera Court and his heart disease!... And then, the composer used cowbells in offstage, too. This explains that extreme loneliness and a mystic atmosphere. Even so, this is only symphony which finishes with dark atmosphere, not with a glory scene. And the last sudden exploding chord of music (in last seconds) usually scares me. The music finishes like a iron curtain falls in scene...

The 1st movement begins like a Nazi March! This "risoluto" and tragic opening continues with a apassionata "Alma" theme, so this movement has a full of drammatic atmosphere. The 2nd movement is played as Andante, as Mahler himself decided later to choice as 2nd movement, not as a Scherzo. The 3rd movement is Scherzo, and it is I think not a Scherzo, but a "Dance of Death", with devil's laughters, but in Trio section, describes the games of children, but in finish section there is a drammatic explosion and this game melody sounds now when goes away and dying in a whimper... The amazing Finale is the prophetic movement. It begins as a nightmare, and then continues with a heroic-tragic march. This march portraits the hero (Mahler), but then the three hammer blows, and then defeat and abandons himself to his doom...

This 2-CD set is marvellous. They are definitve readings and a must have for all Mahlerians and Straussians, and other music lovers.

Highly recommended.

Too slow is the instant reaction to the opening march but its inexorable tread draws you in . This is passionate heart on the sleeve music making and once heard never forgotten.

It was once said on Radio3 that Barbirolli and Bernstein spoiled you for other versions one too slow the other too fast but both seeming utterly right .

I am happy to be spoiled .

One cavil however is that EMI have released this in two formats splitting up two great barbirolli Strauss recordings - so if you want both you have to buy two copies of the symphony .