Proms 2010 Mahler 3

[Guest]

I have finally got round to watching my DVD recording of this concert (Runnicles conducting) and think it is so good I will make the rare exception of keeping it on disc. I am still a Mahler 'beginner' generally preferring Sibelius & RVW and find the 3rd the most accessible (despite its length!). I would be grateful for the thoughts of those more experienced in his music than I as to whether this was a notable performance.

Thanks in anticipation

Joe G

[pilamenon]

I wouldn't worry about whether others tell you it's a notable performance or not. Opinion was divided during the Proms, if I remember, as it always is. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Runnicles' other concert was just as good the previous night.

[BBMmk2]

Completely agree therepilamenon. Although, the BBC SSO played magnificently, I thought the orchestra was brought toi its limits in this work.

[Norfolk Born]

I wouldn't worry about whether others tell you it's a notable performance or not. Opinion was divided during the Proms, if I remember, as it always is. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Runnicles' other concert was just as good the previous night.

My thoughts exactly. And I doubt if you'll ever achieve anything remotely resembling unanimity in any discussion of any performance of any Mahler symphony. I'm going to see the Mahler 3rd in Worcester Cathedral in August, and it's a safe bet that opinion will again be divided.

[Uncle Monty]

Absolutely. I think I said in another thread the other week that that Prom broadcast was one of the highlights of my musical year. Like JoeG, I have kept both sound and dvd recordings, and they will be played!

It may be true to say the orchestra was playing at its limits, but if so, would that be a bad thing? How comfortable would we want them to be in a work like that?

[JoeG]

Thanks for those comments - I suppose in work as complex as this everyone will have their own opinion. As I had only heard it a couple of times before I was unsure how it compared but it certainly was a very involving performance from my limited experience.

[rubbernecker]

I have finally got round to watching my DVD recording of this concert (Runnicles conducting) and think it is so good I will make the rare exception of keeping it on disc. I am still a Mahler 'beginner' generally preferring Sibelius & RVW and find the 3rd the most accessible (despite its length!). I would be grateful for the thoughts of those more experienced in his music than I as to whether this was a notable performance.

I booked this concert before I found out that, serendipitously, my near-neighbour Marcia Crayford was scheduled to lead the orchestra that night. I can tell you it was a 'special' performance, certainly as far as she was concerned. Runnicles has a mastery of control and breadth of vision, especially in these broad canvasses, which players seem to respect and respond to.

[Alison]

Sometimes I think we see the label BBC Scottish and build in stretch
and strain to our listening experience.

I suspect much of the playing is actually rather fine.

[Threni]

I was at this concert in the arena and found it one of the most boring concerts I have been to, probably more interested in the late night performance of Threni ;)


However I listened to the work this morning (Bernstein edition) and thought it was wonderful! Trouble with the proms sometimes is you queue all day and by the time you get in your so tired from queuing you forget all about the concert!

I am too a Mahler beginner and this morning ordered all the scores of Mahler symphonies off Amazon, so hopefully I will be able to appreciate Mahler more by seeing it "written down" ;)

[Petrushka]

Trouble with the proms sometimes is you queue all day and by the time you get in your so tired from queuing you forget all about the concert!

This is the precise reason why, for many years now, I have booked a seat. OK it is more expensive but after walking round London all day in high Summer the last thing I want to do is stand up for another two hours plus.

I was also at this performance and I too thought the BBCSSO were stretched to the limit and anyway I was also at the Lucerne/Abbado Prom in 2007 when we had riches beyond our wildest dreams. Ashamed to say I've not yet seen the DVD recording I made of the Runnicles.

[Uncle Monty]

There is something about a Proms performance of a big work that televises well, I think -- the sheer heat, tension, intensity, perhaps. Live broadcasts seem very live.

However, I do have the Abbado Lucerne 2007 performance (the one actually in Lucerne) on DVD and disc, and it is simply peerless.

Not least among its attractions, for me at any rate, was (I was amazed to see) the appearance in the cello section of the great Natalia Gutman, arguably the finest soloist in the world (well, my favourite, anyway) right now. So they were pushing at an open door as far as I was concerned, but it really is a wonderful showing.

[Dave2002]

Being stretched to the limit is perhaps not so good in a lesser orchestra, but occasionally the effect with a very good one can be amazing. Jochum's performance of Brahms' 1st symphony which I attended in the RFH in the 1970s stretched things to the limit, and it seemed very clear to some of us that that produced the effects which we thought the conductor wanted. Absolutely stunning!

[BBMmk2]

There is something about a Proms performance of a big work that televises well, I think -- the sheer heat, tension, intensity, perhaps. Live broadcasts seem very live.

However, I do have the Abbado Lucerne 2007 performance (the one actually in Lucerne) on DVD and disc, and it is simply peerless.

Not least among its attractions, for me at any rate, was (I was amazed to see) the appearance in the cello section of the great Natalia Gutman, arguably the finest soloist in the world (well, my favourite, anyway) right now. So they were pushing at an open door as far as I was concerned, but it really is a wonderful showing.

Ah yes!! That Abbado DVD, UM!! I love that one to bits!! :)