Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (2008)

While the work is indubitably a highly emotional late Romantic masterpiece, not since Bernstein's heyday has an interpretation of Mahler's First Symphony been so radically subjective. With the super virtuoso London Symphony supporting him all the way, Gergiev holds back the tempo at the start of the opening movement, then charges full throttle through the development to the coda's explosive climax. In the Ländler that follows, Gergiev irresistibly pushes the stamping outer sections forward, but lingers lovingly over the ... Read More

While the work is indubitably a highly emotional late Romantic masterpiece, not since Bernstein's heyday has an interpretation of Mahler's First Symphony been so radically subjective. With the super virtuoso London Symphony supporting him all the way, Gergiev holds back the tempo at the start of the opening movement, then charges full throttle through the development to the coda's explosive climax. In the Ländler that follows, Gergiev irresistibly pushes the stamping outer sections forward, but lingers lovingly over the sentimental melody of the central Trio.But these tempo modifications are as nothing compared with what Gergiev does in the two closing movements. His funeral march is steady enough, but its two trios shudder and lurch as if some of the mourners had had too much to drink. With its trajectory from inferno to paradise, the concluding movement changes tempos more times to the uptown local but despite its peregrinations never loses sight of the ultimate goal. Above and beyond these tempo... Read Less