Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 David Zinman

• Gustav Mahler (1860–1911): Sinfonie Nr. 2 C-Moll
• 1 I. Allegro maestoso - Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck 22:04
• 2 II. Andante moderato - Sehr gemächlich - Nie eilen 10:32
• 3 III. In ruhig fliessender Bewegung - Sehr gemächlich, nicht eilen 10:10
• 4 IV. Urlicht: O, Röschen rot! Der Mensch liegt in grösster Not! Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht, nicht schleppen 05:20
• 5 V. Im Tempo des Scherzos 33:40
• Total Runtime 01:21:46

Info for Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2

„David Zinman's second venture in recording Gustav Mahler's symphonies for RCA Red Seal is a brisk and propulsive reading of the 'Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Resurrection,' one upon which he and the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra appear to have lavished all their energies and skills.

This recording presents the massive work on a double album — one devoted to the first movement and the other containing the remainder of the symphony -- seemingly directing the listener to observe the intermission Mahler wanted between these parts. Not that Zinman's driven interpretation of the first movement really requires a rest break, nor is the orchestra's playing all that draining, but it's nice to follow the composer's wishes and it helps clear the air for the delicate and quiet Andante, which is rendered here with a gentle Ländler feeling. The scherzo 'In ruhig fließender Bewegung,' which provides the symphony's dramatic turning point, is particularly sharp and disturbing in this fast performance, and the tempo is unrelenting in its forward motion, not pausing for even a moment of sentiment. The fourth movement, 'Urlicht,' features contralto Anna Larsson as soloist, and her tone and expression are quite warm, though her voice comes in and out of focus as she moves. Similar spatial problems are evident in the Finale, where the offstage band and the trumpet calls are a little vague. The final ecstatic section with soprano Juliane Banse, the Schweizer Chamber Choir, the extra brass, and the full orchestra is magnificent, and the conclusion of this ode is the most compelling part of this 2006 performance. This is definitely not the last word on this grandiose symphony, since its popularity only increases as time passes, but Zinman and his musicians can hold their heads high for a job well done, and RCA's engineers can be proud of the deep spaciousness and rich colors of the reproduction.“ (All Music Guide, Blair Sanderson)

„Zinman rarely puts a foot wrong... The sound, like the performance, is natural.... This is excellent work.“ (BBC Music Magazine, David Nice)

„Rhythms are elegant and eloquent, interpretive decisions are centrist, sonorities are never gratuitously pretty, and formal rigor is apparent without smothering the music's fantasy.... One to live with.“ (Philadelphia Inquirer, David Patrick Stearns)

„As in his earlier account of the First Symphony, Zinman makes maximum use of the dynamic range of the recording.“ (The Guardian, Andrew Clements)

Juliane Banse, soprano
Anna Larsson, contralto
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich
Schweizer Kammerchor
David Zinman, conductor

David Zinman
has conducted all the leading North American and European orchestras. Forthcoming projects include performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, London Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra and Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra. He also returns to the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich for subscription concerts and conducting masterclasses, which he inaugurated during his time as Music Director. He also gives masterclasses this season at the Juilliard School of Music.

Zinman has held positions as Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony orchestras. Recent recordings include a 50-CD box set, David Zinman - Great Symphonies: The Zurich Years, which celebrates Zinman’s recording legacy with the Tonhalle-Orchester.

Booklet for Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2