Lenny will leave you exhilarated and exhausted!
Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 02/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For Mahlerites, his symphonies are much more than musical performances--they can be an emotional or spiritual journey through the struggles, fears, and triumphs of life.
This Sixth Symphony is a 1976 performance in the Vienna Musikvereinssaal with PCM stereo and DTS 5.1. The 2 dvd set also includes the 4th and 5th symphonies, which are performed as magnificently as the Sixth, on which I am focusing here.
As in several Mahler symphonies, there is extensive use in the Sixth, of harps, the triangle, cowbells, and the gong. In the final movement, we hear and see the sharp rifleshot crack of a giant wooden mallet, striking out the 3 hammershlag blows so unique to the 6th symphony.
I believe that at this writing, this is the only DVD recording of the Mahler 6th. But there couldn't be a better choice of conductor than Leonard Bernstein. Lenny jumps, flutters, soars to heaven, and agonizes, as he anticipates every note of a symphony he loves so well.
Humphrey Burton has directed this recording in such a way that we see instuments at their key moments in the symphony, and we see Leonard Bernstein as he leads each wave of emotion. If you've heard and enjoyed these Mahler symphonies, just wait 'til you hear and SEE them!"
Heavenly Fourth
Satish Kamath | 01/23/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD has probably the best 4th of Mahler I have ever heard. I rate it even above the Bruno Walter recording in terms of the depth of interpretation. Lenny beats a unique and according to me, perfect tempo for this work, the like of which I have yet to hear in ever so many versions I have heard. He makes the whole work perk up and makes it more cheerful than I have heard so far. I would recommend this DVD in spite of its age (recorded probably 25 - 30 years ago) to just about anyone who knows these works well."
Brilliant
Erez Katz | CA, USA | 07/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are so many recordings on the 5th and most are bloated and cluttered.
Bernstein cuts to the chase and the VPO follows him with love.
Highly recommended!"