Hammer Blows and Cowbells

 

Not so Tragic after all!

I know subtitles sell a work, and that is why history is full of publishers adding names to music composers don't necessarily want.

As far as 'Tragic' is concerned, I never found Symphony no. 6 work to be overly miserable, nor calamitous. Like most musical journeys from Mahler, there is a direction and purpose, and it always leads to a satisfactory arrival, upbeat or no.

I just don't find this journey particularly tragic. Sure it has its menace; the opening march is a prime example. But that slow Andante movement, here placed third, wouldn't scare the pants off of a jaybird. Speaking of which, I find Yoel Levi's slow third movement absolutely divine. It is not overcooked with surging undercurrents; instead it is placidly calm and bucolically peaceful.

If there is any contention with this performance, it is not observing the opening exposition repeat. Perhaps this is what Levi wanted, but instead, I highly suspect this was a boardroom decision rather than an artistic one. Of course, those handy with a remote can repeat it themselves (minus the first-ending material, of course).

Otherwise, I like this Yoel Levi Telarc recording. As I mention in my review below, I think he was terribly underappreciated, mainly having to follow a starry name such as Robert Shaw. But Shaw would never have given us a performance like this. The opening is frightening, and not just from its swift tempo. The finale is powerful, and all of those horn solos are delicious.

Could we put this with the very best? You can do anything you want, if you believe in it enough! Will anyone agree with you? Well...does it matter?

A review from 2024

As with the other Mahler symphonies in the Telarc Yoel Levi / López-Cobos set, this Symphony 6 recording is terrific in the sonics department. The bass drum is visceral, the brass is forward as is usually the case with US orchestras, and there is a wonderful sense of space around the sound.

I have always believed Yoel Levi was greatly underappreciated during his tenure with the Atlanta SO. Levi continued the recording legacy started by Robert Shaw at Telarc, and he was a surer hand at leading an orchestra compared to Shaw, even if he wasn’t as starry and well-known.

 

He certainly has a stirring view of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. Whereas many go for a heavy, trenchant opening march, Levi adopts an almost manic, anxious pace, set at quite a clip. This might sap the music of import, put certainly not on mood or impact. It is too bad the opening movement repeat is ignored, but I highly suspect it was due to Telarc wanting to fit this all on one disc.

The 2^nd movement Scherzo seems to carry over the same vision, interrupted by Mahler’s love light, rustic dances. Some think Yoel Levi’s approach to the beautiful 3^rd movement as underplayed, but I find its utter peace and bucolic calm completely delightful.


Too bad Levi doesn’t cook the finale like he does the opening; it could have cemented the overall musical vision, but still, it is stupendously played, even if the hammer blow warnings on the physical media are unwarranted.

 

This is a wonderful reading of Mahler’s Symphony no. 6. If it is not one to set with the very best, it is excellent in sound, splendidly played, and Yoel Levi invests the music with energy galore. Really, if you are interested in this symphony, this is an all-around terrific recording.

 

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Works
Symphony 6

  I. 17.46
 II. 12.41
III. 15.49
IV. 31.29

Performers
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Yoel Levi, conductor

Label: Telarc
Year: 1998
Total Timing: 78.07

 

 

 
I am not going to set this with the very, very best.

However, I am enamored with it, and I like Yoel Levi's approach to this music. I would not be surprised if this was a favorite of many listeners. Plus it is on one CD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Mahler recordings HERE!