The MPO under Claus Peter Flor played Mahler's valedictory Ninth Symphony for the second time on 7 and 8 May 2011 in the DFP. Benjamin Zander led the MPO in first set of Mahler Symphony No 9 performances played at the DFP in September 2002. That was a wonderful occasion with Zander personally giving the pre-concert talk as well.
Claus Peter Flor is a wonderful conductor - especially in the great Austro-German works. He however has a penchant for swift speeds. Unfortunately, the fast speeds do not work so well in Mahler 9 and throughout this performance on 7 May 2011, there was a lack of repose in what is arguably Mahler's swan song.
The lack of repose were quite apparent in the long 1st and 4th movements. The 2nd and 3rd movements (Im Tempo eines gemachlichen and Rondo Burleske respectively) were given the virtuoso orchestral treatment - especially the latter.
The audience was a bit more "polite" and lukewarm in its applause (than Zander's performance) and this shows that Flor's performance this time out was very good, rather than great.
No comments:
Post a Comment