Mahler 8
BIS, 2023
8/10
The Minnesota Orchestra tackle Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, where Osmo Vänskä’s direction is captured both live and recorded, starting in June 2022 at Orchestra Hall.
Part 1, “Veni creator spiritus”, starts the listen with the harmonic and expressive voices from Carolyn Sampson and Jacquelyn Wagner’s sopranos, and Sasha Cooke and Jess Dandy’s altos amid the rich strings and detailed attention to mood. The booming percussion won’t go unnoticed either, as the setting builds into soaring bouts of harmonic interaction.
The back half of the listen, Part II “Schlussszene aus Faust II”, is equally meticulous, as Sampson’s glowing pipes shine alongside Christian Immler’s commanding bass baritone and no lack of melodic gestures from the orchestra’s very capable hands.
This is the 9th release in this series that will record all 10 of Mahler’s symphonies, where the precise blending of voices and instrumentation is remarkable, and the addition of Minnesota Choir, National Lutheran Choir, Minnesota Boychoir and Angelica Cantanti Youth Choir is much enjoyed.
Travels well with: Chicago A Cappella- Miracle Of Miracles: Music For Hanukkah; Bridget Kibbey- Crossing The Ocean