New Mahler recordings released

The first volumes of a new complete recording of Gustav Mahler's symphonies, conducted by Andris Nelsons with the Vienna Philharmonic, have been released. The project, produced by Deutsche Grammophon (DGG) and C Major, aims to capture all of Mahler's symphonies in a new interpretation.

Mixed critical reception

Critics have offered mixed reviews of the recordings. While some praise the performances, others find them only moderately convincing, especially when compared to previous recordings by renowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein and Claudio Abbado.

Nelsons' previous work

Andris Nelsons has had varied success with his recordings of major composers. His Beethoven and Bruckner symphony cycles have received only moderate praise, but his Shostakovich cycle in Boston is considered more successful.

Performance of Mahler's Third Symphony

The Third Symphony, recorded during the Salzburg Festival, shows some strengths, particularly in its first movement, which blends heroic and lyrical passages with military marches. However, later movements are criticized for lacking the same depth and focus.

Vocal highlights and weaknesses

One standout moment comes in the fifth movement, where Nelsons accompanies soprano Violetta Urmana in a song based on Friedrich Nietzsche’s Also spracht Zarathoustra. The choir is praised for its transparency and freshness, but the final adagio is seen as slow and lacking in tension.

Comparison to past conductors

Nelsons is noted for not matching the achievements of his predecessors in Vienna, such as Bernstein and Abbado, whose recordings are considered superior in both lyricism and interpretation. Critics wonder if a certain "curse" has followed Vienna's Mahler recordings, given the difficulty of surpassing such legendary performances.