Mahler's second symphony is a real blockbuster of classical music, it is relentlessly brilliant from the opening double bass heavy theme through to its truly epic choral ending some 70 minutes later. Everything about this symphony is massive, the orchestration alone requires 10 trumpets, 10 French horns, 2 harps, 7 percussionists and in Mahler's own words "The largest possible contingent of strings" and a choir of a 100. This is why the LSO putting this on is such a big deal, the numbers of muscians involved can't make this the most financially lucrative of concerts and squeezing them all on the stage is a logistical enterprise to be admired.
It is perhaps unsurprising that this gargantuan collections of musicians were able to produce a sound to match the scale of Mahler's music. So loud was this performance that the two soloists in the chorus regularly covered their ears as another gong was smashed, or timpani bashed.
Make no mistake this is a jaw dropping, goosebump inducing composition of invention, theme and above all else great tunes. From the muffled sounds of the band playing off stage to the double basses bashing there strings with their bows there is never a dull moment. There is a constant sense of brooding menace throughout, some of the quietest parts are the most spine chilling. To large part the LSO did the piece justice, the double bass players in particularly who anchor the whole, were incredible.
Unfortunately you can never choose the audience, and the lady next to me managed the double feat of ruffling through her programme loudly during the first two movements and then falling to sleep through the rest of it. Quite how either of these is possible is beyond me. You would have thought the sheer noise generated alone would have precluded any chance of sleeping, even for the most dedicated narcoleptic.
For all the brilliance of Mahler's work, I would not say this was a vintage production, at times the orchestra was ragged. This was particularly notable in some of the quieter sections where the cardinal sin of not ending together was committed, particularly at the end of the 1st movement. My concert going buddy Clare pointed out that this might be due to the fact they had to hire so many extra muscians and they weren't familiar with the conductor. Although Daniel Harding has to take the responsibility for this, musicians of this calibre should not be making those types of mistakes.
However these minor issues faded into the memory as the concert ramped up into its massive choral climax, and then just when I wanted it to carry on forever, it was over. Without doubt the best time I have had a classical concert.
If you only ever go to one classical concert in your lifetime make sure you go see Mahler's second symphony.
It is perhaps unsurprising that this gargantuan collections of musicians were able to produce a sound to match the scale of Mahler's music. So loud was this performance that the two soloists in the chorus regularly covered their ears as another gong was smashed, or timpani bashed.
Make no mistake this is a jaw dropping, goosebump inducing composition of invention, theme and above all else great tunes. From the muffled sounds of the band playing off stage to the double basses bashing there strings with their bows there is never a dull moment. There is a constant sense of brooding menace throughout, some of the quietest parts are the most spine chilling. To large part the LSO did the piece justice, the double bass players in particularly who anchor the whole, were incredible.
Unfortunately you can never choose the audience, and the lady next to me managed the double feat of ruffling through her programme loudly during the first two movements and then falling to sleep through the rest of it. Quite how either of these is possible is beyond me. You would have thought the sheer noise generated alone would have precluded any chance of sleeping, even for the most dedicated narcoleptic.
For all the brilliance of Mahler's work, I would not say this was a vintage production, at times the orchestra was ragged. This was particularly notable in some of the quieter sections where the cardinal sin of not ending together was committed, particularly at the end of the 1st movement. My concert going buddy Clare pointed out that this might be due to the fact they had to hire so many extra muscians and they weren't familiar with the conductor. Although Daniel Harding has to take the responsibility for this, musicians of this calibre should not be making those types of mistakes.
However these minor issues faded into the memory as the concert ramped up into its massive choral climax, and then just when I wanted it to carry on forever, it was over. Without doubt the best time I have had a classical concert.
If you only ever go to one classical concert in your lifetime make sure you go see Mahler's second symphony.
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