Francois-Xavire Roth & Les Siecles.、Re Shiekuru Orchestra、Sabine Devieilhe - Mahler 1 & 4 - Import 2 CD

Credits:

Francois-Xavire Roth & Les Siecles.、Re Shiekuru Orchestra、Sabine Devieilhe

Description:

A 2-CD set of Mahler by Loto & Les Siècles is now available! Loto & Les Siècles presents two Mahler titles in a special value set: Symphony No. 1, recorded in 2018, and Symphony No. 4, recorded in 2021. Symphony No. 1 features the second version, premiered in 1893, which includes the “Flower Movement.” Mahler premiered his first orchestral work, a symphonic poem, in Budapest on November 20, 1889. Later, in 1893, upon his appointment as Court Conductor in Hamburg, he revised the work and titled it *Titan*, a symphonic poem in symphonic form. He thoroughly reworked the orchestration, transforming the introduction—which had been too Beethoven-esque—into an original, high-frequency-like string tremolo, doubling the woodwinds, and adding instruments such as the cor anglais and bass clarinet to create a score that evoked the sounds of nature as much as possible. This second version, which includes the “Flower Movement” in the second movement, premiered in Hamburg on October 27 of that same year. The performance by Loto and Les Siècles in this concert is based on this second version. Furthermore, aiming for the ideal sound of a German orchestra and the Viennese timbre that Mahler likely had in mind at the time, it was decided to use the instruments with which Mahler had become familiar in the pits of the Vienna Court Opera and the Musikverein. The oboes are from Vienna, while the flutes, clarinets, bassoons, trombones, and tubas are from Germany; the horns and trumpets are a mix of German and Viennese instruments. These instruments differed completely from their French counterparts of the same era in fingering, keyholes, and even the clarinet mouthpieces, reportedly making for a completely new experience for the ensemble members. It is a shocking performance that completely overturns conventional perceptions of Mahler’s “Titan.” Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 was premiered on November 25, 1901, at the very dawn of the 20th century. Following the massive scale of his Second and Third Symphonies, it possesses a classical demeanor that seems to mark a return to the traditional four-movement form, and is considered one of Mahler’s brightest and most accessible works. Les Siècles adheres primarily to period performance practice, and it is refreshing to hear the violin solo in the second movement—conceived to evoke the playing of Death—performed without vibrato. The effect of the harp’s low notes, which resonate throughout the piece, is also striking. Sabine Devier takes on the soprano solo in the final movement. With her bright, non-vibrato voice, she sings of a pure, heavenly life, yet a sense of cruelty and fear seems to close in from behind, making one realize that this leads directly into the world of *Das Lied von der Erde*, composed in his very final years. (HMM-905357 and HMM-905299 bundled together in an O-card case) HARMONIAMUNDI