Levine's Mahler Third -- "A listening tour from earthy to ethereal"

Music Lane

It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

While James has recorded Mahler many times, his performances in Boston have been few -- although he opened his reign with a blazing Eighth. Yesterday afternoon I listened to his Third, which I greatly enjoyed -- with reservations. I think he dissected it rather too much, in the later Tilson Thomas manner that I dislike; nevertheless the playing was gorgeous throughout and the finale did not fail to make its impact.
The Boston Globe's review hinted at the aforementioned deficiency:
"James Levine led the BSO in a rousing performance of the work Thursday night, conveying most of the grandeur of its profile but also reveling in its tiny nooks and crannies. It was playing of immense clarity and precision, with tempos and dynamics shaded in minute degrees and pacing carefully calibrated. This is a work that contains Whitmanesque multitudes -- the high and the low, the earthy and the ethereal -- and Levine seemed to want you to hear every last note."
This leads to the question, "So what is the best Mahler Third you've heard?" Well surprise, surprise! It has to have been Seiji Ozawa's here several years ago. He and the band both had it all right, and with topmost expressiveness and feeling. I was transfixed, listening over the radio; pity I didn't tape it. Imagine, Ozawa! Out of whose performance of the Ninth in Symphony Hall I once walked!
As for recordings, I'll name three: the old (and first ever) F. Charles Adler, a live recording by Hermann Scherchen and Leipzig radio forces from 1960, and the hard-to-find Kyril Kondrashin -- out of whose performance of the Ninth in Symphony Hall I also once walked!
clark
PS I'll be listening to the Mahler again on tonight's broadcast.

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/03/17/mahlers_listening_tour_from_earthy_to_ethereal/ (Open in New Window)

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Topic - Levine's Mahler Third -- "A listening tour from earthy to ethereal" - clarkjohnsen 10:27:56 03/17/07 (8)

You don't like the Horenstein 3rd? I agree with Mahlerians on this one - jdaniel 17:26:05 03/17/07 (5)

Glad to see that I'm not the only person who likes the M7 - Chuck Y 09:11:01 03/19/07 (0)

You should try the three I mentioned. nt - clarkjohnsen 12:20:30 03/18/07 (0)

Re: You don't like the Horenstein 3rd? I agree with Mahlerians on this one - Thornhill 20:57:44 03/17/07 (2)

Re: You don't like the Horenstein 3rd? Me neither. - Daverz 09:03:51 04/05/07 (0)

Re: You don't like the Horenstein 3rd? I agree with Mahlerians on this one - jdaniel 09:56:01 03/18/07 (0)

I didn't find it overly fussy, but the Finale was dreadfully slow. - markrohr 13:31:15 03/17/07 (0)

Follow-up on my post in General A..... - BJordan 10:56:26 03/17/07 (0)

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