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| Philips (Full price) (CD) 416 466-2PH2 (two
discs, nas). Notes, and where appropriate, text and translation included. |
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| BPO, Karajan (7/84) 410 726-2GH2 |
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| Czech PO, Neumann (12/85) C37-7340/1 |
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Haitink's recording of Mahler's Ninth dates from
1969. It is still of demonstration quality on CD, the balance superb, the string tone
caught in both its richness and whiplash attack, the Concertgebouw brass marvellously
bright and rounded. The CD sound is as good as the original and I do not notice the
tendency of CD to impart a certain coldness to the sound about which some people complain.
Haitink's interpretation is admirable in every respect. The first movement, surely one of
the greatest symphonic structures ever written, is both architecturally and emotionally
convincing and moving in his hands, and the closing adagio complements it in
nobility and courage.
In fact, if one left it at that, one could safely
recommend it as the outstanding version instead of an outstanding version. But one hankers
for HMV to put the Barbirolli performance on CD—and there remains the incomparable
Karajan/DG 1982 live performance. After playing and being most stirred by the Haitink, I
then played the Karajan to see if (as often happens) initial enthusiasm had cooled. But
no. It really is on its own—as an interpretation, as orchestral playing, and as a
truly amazing piece of recording. The Neumann/Supraphon too is worth anyone's
consideration. I realize, however, that reviewers are in a privileged position, hearing
all these recordings without having to pay for them and, as it must sometimes seem,
splitting hairs between performances of the highest class, any of which would satisfy the
most demanding listener. So it behoves me to point out, in view of the price of CDs, that
this excellent Haitink issue also a fine account of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder by
Hermann Prey and that no other CD so far offers more than the symphony alone.
MK