United Kingdom Mahler: London Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 3.12.2022. (JR)
Mahler – Symphony No.9
Vladimir Jurowski turned the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conductor Emeritus simply over a yr in the past, after 14 years as their Principal Conductor they usually clearly have been thrilled to have him again. He is now Music Director on the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
Jurowski is assembling his acclaimed Mahler cycle yr by yr and now it was the flip to listen to Mahler’s closing absolutely accomplished symphony, the Ninth. The presence of microphones attested to this efficiency being recorded for posterity on the LPO’s personal report label; it was quickly evident that ample rehearsal time had been accorded to this efficiency, not all the time the case with London orchestras. (Two earlier LPO concert events together with the current Bruckner 9 beneath Robin Ticciati had a number of ragged edges.)
Jurowski clearly has a deep affection for and understanding for Mahler’s symphonies and this was a powerful efficiency and interpretation of this valedictory work. Mahler had simply misplaced his eldest daughter aged solely 4 and had been identified with a severe coronary heart criticism; he had resigned his publish as Music Director of the Vienna Opera.
The very lengthy, gradual opening motion had a visionary high quality; Jurowski ensured that the tempo by no means dragged. Principal horn John Ryan was safe, principal oboe Ian Hardwick and principal timpanist Simon Carrington additionally stood out. At its shut, after the motion had died away to nothing, Jurowski properly selected to take a seat for a number of minutes to let the orchestra and viewers catch their breath.
The easy-going Ländler had loads of lilt and appeal, the second violins led by the wonderful Tania Mazzetti had loads of punch. Jurowski neatly accentuated each phrase, contaminated with a smidgeon of menace and foreboding at applicable moments. The rough-hewn Rondo-Burleske confirmed the standard of the LPO’s trombone part, and the calm interlude had a visionary high quality – Jurowski hardly slowed down. The extra aggressive sections maybe suited Jurowski’s dynamic temperament greater than the quieter sections.
The closing Adagio began with the mellow cello of principal Kristina Blaumane, loads of despair within the motion’s darkest moments. The entire woodwind part got here up trumps. At the tip, the heartbeats stopped and calm pervaded the corridor; even a refrain of coughers couldn’t dispel the magic of the rating. Jurowski held his arm excessive for a number of minutes to stop untimely applause spoiling the impact. When the arm got here down, the viewers fell into rapture. They had even, nearly, managed to not applaud every motion.
The live performance was devoted to the reminiscence of Laurie Lovelle, who retired a couple of years in the past as a member of the double bass part the place he had spent 38 years. When Lovelle left the LPO, he gave Jurowski an LP of Mahler 8 with the LSO beneath Leonard Bernstein and with the esteemed Highgate School Boys Choir – Laurie had been a Highgate chorister again then within the mid-Sixties, as had I, and we each apparently sang in that exact same memorable live performance.
John Rhodes