Mahler: Symphony No.1/Berg: Sonata, Op.1

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
When Riccardo Chailly was appointed music director of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1986 (still only in his 30s), he became head of one of the world's greatest Mahler orchestras. Just about all the right elements would seem to be in place for yet another outstanding Mahler cycle, given the conductor's interpretive acumen and masterful molding of orchestral detail. Though the results of Chailly's traversal thus far (for example, the Fifth and Seventh Symphonies) have been uneven, his spectacular Mahler First holds its own and spotlights the unique qualities Chailly brings to the composer.

In the late '90s, roughly speaking, we witnessed a paradigm shift from an intensely subjective Mahler (epitomized by Leonard Bernstein, who recorded a magnificent Mahler First with this very orchestra) to a cooler, more "objective" image (check out Christoph von Dohnányi's recent Mahler Ninth). Here Chailly seems to find a convincing middle ground, with an architecturally coherent sense of tempo and symphonic design (especially in the large but often seemingly disconnected blocks of the finale) that keeps self-indulgence in check. At the same time--and with the orchestra in glorious form--Chailly brings a fresh eye to Mahler's painstakingly detailed dynamics, so that colors and relations between instrumental choirs seem refurbished, like a newly cleaned painting. This is above all noticeable in the preliminary "spring awakening" and generates a deeply moving effect when the birdcalls return in the finale. However saturated with Mahler recordings we've become, this performance makes you eager to hear Chailly's interpretations of the remaining symphonies. A fascinatingly thoughtful bonus is Theo Verbey's orchestration of Alban Berg's densely compact Piano Sonata Op. 1. --Thomas May

Tracks:

Toccata In D Minor: Toccata In D Minor (1709) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Canon In D: Canon in D (1698) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st Movement: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st Movement (1721) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Water Music, Suite No. 2 In D: 4.1 1st Movement - 4.2 Alla Hornpipe - 4.3 Minuet - 4.4 Lentement - 4.5 Bourree - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Trumpet Tune And Air: Trumpet Tune And Air (1685) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D: Air - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
The Four Seasons - Spring: The Four Seasons - Spring (1725): 7.1 Allegro - 7.2 Largo e painissimo - 7.3 Allegro Bela Banfalvi - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Adagio: Adagio (1730) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Mandoline Concerto In C, RV 425: 9.1 Allegro - 9.2 Largo - 9.3 Allegro - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor: Minuet and Badinerie (1721) : - 10.1 Minuet - 10.2 Badinerie - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1685-1730)

Tracks:

Messiah: 'Hallelujah' (1742)
'Orpheus and Eurydice': Dance Of The Blessed Spirits (1762)
'Christmas Oratorio': Sinfonia In G (1734)
Violin Concerto No.3 in G: Violin Concerto No.3 In G, 1st Movement (1775)
'Xerxes': Largo (1734)
Flute Concerto In G 'La Notte': VI. Allegro (1731)
'Solomon': Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (1749)
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Oboe Concerto In D Minor, 2nd Movement (1731)
Concerto grosso In A Minor Op.6 No.4: 9.1 Larghetto affettuoso - 9.2 Allegro - 9.3 Largo Piano - 9.4 Allegro
Violin Concerto No.5 In A, 2nd Movement: Violin Concerto No.5 In A, 2nd Movement (1775)

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 1st movement (1787)
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C: 2nd Movement (Elvira Madigan)
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture (1786)
Flute Concerto No. 2 In D: 2nd Movement (1778)
Piano Sonata In A (1778): Rondo Alla Turca
Don Giovanni: Overture (1787)
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat: 2nd Movement
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A: 1st Movement (1786)
The Marriage Of Figaro: March (1786)
Serenata Notturna: 10.1 Marcia. Maestoso - 10.2 Menuetto - 10.3 Rondeau. Allegretto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40: 1st Movement (1788) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
'Moonlight' Sonata: 1st Movement (1801) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Symphony No. 94: 'Surprise' ,2nd Movement (1791) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
The Magic Flute: Overture (1791) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Fur Elise: Fur Elise (1810) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
String Quartet In C: Emporor's Hymn - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Symphony No. 5: 1st Movement (1808) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Clarinet Concerto In A: 2nd Movement (1791) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Minuet In G: Minuet in G (1796) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat: 3rd Movement - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 4 (1788-1810)

Tracks:

The Barber Of Seville: Overture (1821)
Symphiny No.8 In B Minor: 'Unfinished' 2nd Movement (1822)
Spring Song: Spring Song (1841)
Polonaise In A, Op.40 No.3: 'Military'
Rosamunde: Ballet Music In G
Der Freischutz: Overture (1820)
Ave Maria: Ave Maria (1825)
Symphony No.4 In A: 'Italian', 1st Movement (1833)
Traumerei: Traumerei (1838)
German Dance No. 1: German Dance No. 1 (1811)

Tracks:

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March (1843) - 100 Masterpieces
Liebestraum No. 3 In A flat: Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat (1847) - 100 Masterpieces
Nabucco: Overture (1842) - 100 Masterpieces
The Merry Peasant: The Merry Peasant (1848) - 100 Masterpieces
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (1847) - 100 Masterpieces
Lohengin: Prelude to Act 3 (1850) - 100 Masterpieces
La Traviata: Prelude to Act 1(1853) - 100 Masterpieces
Tannhauser: Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg (1845) - 100 Masterpieces
Violin Concerto In E Minor: Violin Concerto In E Minor, 2nd Movement (1845) - 100 Masterpieces
Poet And Peasant: Overture (1846) - 100 Masterpieces

Tracks:

Orpheus In The Underworld: Overture (1858)
Melody In F: Melody In F (1858)
Les Preludes: Les Preludes (1854)
Waltz In A Flat: Waltz In A Flat (1865)
The Force Of Destiny: Overture (1862)
I Love You: I Love You (1864)
The Bartered Bride: Overture (1866)
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle (1864)
Tritsch Tratsch Polka: Tritsch Tratsch Polka (1858)
Light Cavalry: Overture (1866)

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor: 1st Movement (excerpt) (1875) - 100 Masterpieces
Cradle Song: Cradle Song (1868) - 100 Masterpieces
The Moldau: The Moldau (1875) - 100 Masterpieces
The Valkyrie: Ride Of The Valkyries (1870) - 100 Masterpieces
Peer Gynt: Morning (1876) - 100 Masterpieces
Carmen: Les Toreadors (1875) - 100 Masterpieces
Coppelia: Notturno (1870) - 100 Masterpieces
Marche Slave, Op. 31: Marche Slave, Op. 31 (1876) - 100 Masterpieces
L'Arlesienne: Intermezzo (1872) - 100 Masterpieces
The Blue Danube: Waltz (1867) - 100 Masterpieces

Tracks:

Eugene Onegin: Polonaise (1878) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Symphony No.9 'From The New World': 2nd Movement (1893) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers (1892) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Capriccio espagnol: Alborado (1887) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
The Last Spring - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Slavonic Dance No. 2: Slavonic Dance No. 2 (1886) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
The Sleeping Beauty: Introduction (1889) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Twilight Of The Gods: Siegfred's Death And Funeral March (1877) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Songs My Mother Taught Me: Songs My Mother Taught Me (1880) - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9
Emperor Waltz - 100 Masterpieces Vol. 9

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare (1896)
Symphony No.5: Adagietto (1902)
Finlandia: Finlandia (1899)
Dance Of The Bumble Bee: Dance Of The Bumble Bee (1900)
'Thais': Meditation
Pomp amd Circumstance: March No.1 (1901)
Humoresque: Humoresque (1894)
Valse Triste: Valse Triste (1903)
Vienna Blood: Vienna Blood - Waltz (1899)
Bolero: Bolero (1928)

Customer Reviews:

Decent Quality, But a Little Rushed.......2002-09-20

I have to agree that this is a good collection of music for the money, especially if you are a novice at the Classics like me. Each disc covers a 40 year period with an hour of music and a little bit of history in the cover slip. However, there were some oddities that made me question the quality of this product. First, a few of the songs seemed like the conductor was hurrying them along so the songs on a disc would add up to exactly one hour -- where's the love? I know I'm a novice, but there are just some songs that are so famous that you can pretty easily tell when they are being butchered or compressed. Second, the quality of the product was suspect. Some of the discs looked like they were manufactured in 1990 and some in 1994. The older ones just had the titles on the discs and the newer ones had a screen-printed color change with no information. They couldn't even use the same type of Jewel Case throughout the collection. In total, it's good for beginners and the money, but not much else.

Decent, but not exciting.......2002-09-01

Not bad, but not a perfect as well. The music selection is very questionable for my taste. The performers are not always very suitable for specific masterpieces. It is inherently, just because such mix of names cannot be bad ;). If I will compose such set a lot of forgotten things should take their place.

Decent, but not exciting.......2002-09-01

Sounds good to me........2002-07-25

Bought this CD to calm and relax myself after a hard days work. CD seems like a great collection to me. It's got a lot of songs that I recognize and some that I don't. It does sooth me a bit after the the many stresses of everyday life.

I'm not really a classical music nut like "Frasier Crane" so I'm not sure how much merit I can bring to the table with this review. But I think it's great..!!!

Wonderful Selection.......2001-05-13

Some of the world's truly finest musicians perform some of the all time greatest and most loved musical masterpieces. The CD makes for easy and peaceful listening of an evening.

Mahler: Symphony No.1/Berg: Sonata, Op.1

Average customer rating:

Modern and Mature. Who Knew!
Analytical, sumptuous, rich character study
Cool, controlled Mahler -- shades of Boulez
The dawn of a new symphonic cycle
The Best Recent Recording of Mahler's 1st Symphony

Mahler: Symphony No.1/Berg: Sonata, Op.1

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mahler: Symphony No4; Berg: Early Songs
Mahler: Symphony No.6/Zemlinsky: 6 Maeterlinck Lieder
Mahler: Symphony No.7/Diepenbrock: Im Grossen Schweigen
Mahler: Symphony no 10 / Chailly, RSO Berlin
Mahler: Symphony No.5

ASIN: B0000042EB
Release Date: 1996-10-14

Tracks:

Sonata, op.1: Massig bewegt
Symphony No.1: I. Langsam, schleppend. Im Anfang sehr gemlich
Symphony No.1: II. Krig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
Symphony No.1: III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen
Symphony No.1: IV. Sth bewegt

Amazon.com essential recording

When Riccardo Chailly was appointed music director of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1986 (still only in his 30s), he became head of one of the world's greatest Mahler orchestras. Just about all the right elements would seem to be in place for yet another outstanding Mahler cycle, given the conductor's interpretive acumen and masterful molding of orchestral detail. Though the results of Chailly's traversal thus far (for example, the Fifth and Seventh Symphonies) have been uneven, his spectacular Mahler First holds its own and spotlights the unique qualities Chailly brings to the composer.

Customer Reviews:

Modern and Mature. Who Knew!.......2007-02-06

The two things which surprise me about Mahler's first symphony is that in comparison to so many other 'first' symphonies from other great composers, it seems so totally mature and confident about itself and how 'modern' it sounds. I hear precursors of many contemporary movie themes here and there, most especially of the 'Star Trek' theme. I also hear clearer echos of 'folk' music so commonly 'borrowed' by so many classical composers, yet with the older composers, the 'folk' component is so old, we have no way of recognizing it.

The work also seems so modern in it's rich texturing which almost seems to anticipate 20th century dissonance. But what do I know. I'm simply here to look for things which sound good and interesting.

Very nice, as rewarding as his later monster works.

Analytical, sumptuous, rich character study.......2005-11-08

I am one of the lowliest of amateurs (or not even that!) when music is concerned : I do not play any instrument and I have no knowledge whatsoever about the intricacies of music theory as such; I only enjoy music as the highest and purest art form by listening to and comparing different recordings (what's worse: I seldomly attend concerts) and then trying to understand what strikes me most about them. Why I like an album or not is mostly a matter of rather personal tastes and (sometimes) moods, 'instict'. And my instinct tells me this recording is quite the way I want this music to sound, namely grand, eloquent and deeply thoughtful: the music of an overly ambitious, overly serious adolescent with deep and complex feelings about the world and his place in it. This recording by Ricardo Chailly and the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest IMHO delves deeper into the 'soul' of Mahler than many others. Chailly here to my feeling digs into the music in a way that does complete justice to the ambitious nature of this groundbraking, earth-shatteringly original work. If this recording somehow feels 'controlled', it is to my idea the result of Chailly trying to get to the soul of Mahler, which is essentially self-analytical and melancholic. This performance is not so much 'too controlled' as deeply analytical. All of Mahler's symphonies can be seen as a way of Mahler trying to get to grips with himself and the world (and cosmos) of which he is a part. This idea can be used as a tool to try to understand the way in which Chailly is interpreting Mahler's music. Together with his recordings of Mahler's Fifth, Sixth and Ninth Symphonies - which under Chailly also have come out as deeply analytical, rich character studies - this must (certainly to my taste) be rated among the very best.

Cool, controlled Mahler -- shades of Boulez.......2005-09-27

Chailly's Mahler gets such positive reviews here that I can only shake my head and suppose that a lot of listeners like cool, controlled Mahler. Why? Then I remind myself that Pierre boulez takes much the same approach. He's more original than Chailly, because often Boulez's phrasing has never been tried before. Chailly does everything that's in the Mahler tradition; he just tamps it down a great deal. The first movement here will be a touchstone for anyone testing this CD. If you don't mind that the pacing is calm, unexcited, and steady, Chailly will be satisfying. To me, however there is no point in restraining such a passionate, conflicted composer. I'll stick with Bruno Wlater and Bernstein in the First.

The dawn of a new symphonic cycle.......2002-12-31

It is a measure of Mahler's greatness that his inaugural symphony is a bit of a maverick - somewhat classical in form, but already covering a great deal of new musical territory and hinting strongly at some of the invigorating ideas to come later. Here Chailly offers a fresh-sounding interpretation to match the freshness of these ideas.

This is one of the best-played, best-recorded versions of this symphony available, and there are lots of good ones around (see below). As with Chailly's other Mahler outings, this one has impressively accurate and passionate orchestral playing, as well as transparent textures and demonstration-quality sound. From the quiet opening with the Concertgebouw's limpid woodwinds, to the exultant finale - well, this is just a sensational recording. Chailly's approach to the score is rather "no-nonsense," allowing the structure and details - not to mention the amazing musicians - to speak for themselves. Of course, the more explosive moments have tremendous weight and power, but the more idyllic episodes - when Mahler transports the listener somewhere far, far away - are equally attention-getting.

The interesting filler is a gorgeous orchestration of Berg's Piano Sonata by Theo Verbey, a well-known Dutch composer. While I wouldn't want to be without Berg's original piano version, this is a seductive (and again, fantastically played) alternative and valuable on its own merits.

Chailly has recorded most of the Mahler symphonies - to date, all but Nos. 3 and 9 - and it is an increasingly impressive cycle. Whatever you think of Chailly's interpretations - some find him on the bland side - there can be little argument with the utterly delicious orchestral playing, as well as the vivid, lifelike sound. While there are other Mahler First's I wouldn't want to be without (e.g., Bernstein, Kubelik, Abbado, and Tennstedt, just to name a few), this one is immensely likeable.

The Best Recent Recording of Mahler's 1st Symphony.......2001-08-10

Chailly emerges as a credible interpreter of Mahler in this superb recording of Mahler's 1st Symphony. While it lacks the emotional intensity of Bernstein's electrifying performance with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chailly's account is fine in its own right. Unlike Bernstein, he carefully explores the rich architecture of Mahler's score; and his deliberate exploration truly pays off in a lyrical interpretation of the last movement. Needless to say the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's performance is exemplary, proving itself once more as one of the world's foremost Mahler orchestras. Of recent recordings of this symphony, only Boulez's introspective account with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra matches Chailly's as a splendid reading and a fine example of state of the art recording technology. This splendid recording opens with a fine performance of a recently orchestrated version of Berg's Sonata by a young Dutch composer.