Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer - Mahler: Symphony No. 1 'Titan' (2012) [DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC]

Written when the composer was only in his late twenties, Mahler's first symphony is a study in optimism. 'In full sail' (his original title for the second movement) could be a motto for the whole work. In this vast symphony, we hear his love of nature and beauty, Mahler's childhood memories, fragments of distant military music, birdsong and even Yiddish folk tunes as they blend together into a paean to life and hope. The work's tribute to Beethoven is seen in its architecture, as it takes cues from his idol's famous ninth symphony. The fact that Mahler's first was debuted in the Hungarian capital Budapest gives Ivan Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra a unique connection to its history.

Iván Fischer's 2012 release of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D major is a straightforward rendition of the published work, presented in gorgeous multichannel sound in the super audio format. This continues Fischer's admirable cycle with the Budapest Festival Orchestra on Channel Classics, and seems to share some of the lightness and joy displayed in their earlier recording of the Symphony No. 4, as well as some of the energy and power demonstrated in their performance of the Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection." It also shares some of the quirks noticeable in Fischer's other Mahler performances, chiefly his use of rubato and his occasional flexibility with dynamics, which are personal touches. Devotees of the work may quibble with Fischer's interpretive choices, but at least he hasn't incorporated the "Blumine" movement, which many of his contemporaries insert between the first and second movements in their attempts to present something closer to the original version of the piece, the tone poem Der Titan. Fortunately, without the unnecessary baggage, the symphony pursues its trajectory unimpeded, and Fischer capitalizes on the potential energy built up in the first part of the work when he unleashes it in the Finale. This is a worthy performance that stands as a high point among Fischer's Mahler recordings, and it will garner much praise from critics for its vividness, coherence, and visceral excitement.

Tracklist:

01 - Symphony No. 1 in D major 'Titan': I. Langsam. Schleppend. - Immer gemächlich
02 - Symphony No. 1 in D major 'Titan': II. Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
03 - Symphony No. 1 in D major 'Titan': III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen
04 - Symphony No. 1 in D major 'Titan': IV. Stürmisch bewegt

Produced by Hein Dekker. Engineered by Jared Sacks & Hein Dekker. Edited by Jared Sacks.
Recorded in September 2011 at Palace of Arts, Budapest, Hungary.

Musicians:
Budapest Festival Orchestra - Conducted by Iván Fischer


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