![Berlin Phil in Singapore [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OyMCXQ5HL._SX300_SY300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg)
In between those who feel that Tennestedt's Mahler's 1st was too "schleppend" or draggy (I don't) and those that Tilson Thomas' version was too pushy ( I do ), lie those who feel that Abaddo's had just the right balance in tempo and expressiveness. I loved Abaddo's version and wrote a glowing review of that disc 3 odd years ago. The eagle -eyed amongst you who watched that DVD would have spotted sitting in the forefront of the audience, rapt in attention, Sir Simon Rattle! So when it was announced that he and the BPO would play a live concert featuring Mahler's 1st in Singapore in November of 2010, yours truly simply had to go. Messrs. Rattle and the Berliners did not disappoint, obliging with a sizzling account of this favourite symphony and what with the fabulous acoustics of the Esplanade concert hall we were left enthralled and leapt to our feet in a breathless standing ovation at the end. So it is very good that we now have a release of this performance in stunning 3D video and equally stunning surround audio. Truth be told the 3D recording was of a full dress rehearsal before the main public performance which is why you see so many students and young people in the audience, but it is still a faithful record of a great performance.
Where would I put Sir Simon's take of this symphony? Well it certainly has more zip and excitement than Abaddo, though still maintaining a strong grip on dynamics and expressiveness. It is not better than Abaddo's but I would consider it a very strong contender. It evokes more exhilaration than Tilson Thomas' version with its relentless acceleration and is ultimately more satisfying.
Sound wise, Abaddo's was very good, Thomas was even better but this Rattle disc surely takes first prize. From the very beginning where Rattle lingers with the softest of string pianissimo depicting the sounds of nature to the thunderous fortissimo of the stormy movement , the dynamic range on record here is truly breathtaking! And there is great accuracy of timbre too. The opening of the funeral march with the double bass playing the Frere Jacques variation, followed by the bassoon , tuba and then the whole orchestra sounds incredibly true to life and is the best I have ever heard. Yes, and the climactic finale should really blow your rafters off. Kudos , sound engineers.
Videophiles should rejoice too for this version when played on a big screen in 3 D is truly a sight to behold. About a third of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra seem to extend into your living room, giving solid flesh to the musicians and space to the stage and with certain angled shots mind that the energetic bows of the string section don't poke you in the eye or appear to anyway. On 2D playback, if the image appears too hard edged, just ease up on the contrast , brightness and color saturation and things will look natural again, and otherwise there is nothing to complain about.
This is a worthy demonstration disc, especially in its 3D iteration and we hope such cutting edge discs will be released in the future, though this will materialize only if the buying public support it with their wallets. Otherwise I fear the 3D evolution will just fall by the wayside which would be a great pity. 5 stars then for artistic performance and for the stunning audio-visual achievement . What a disc !
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2016
- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
-
-
-
- Martin FierroReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2013
STUNNING VISUAL & SOUND EXPIERENCE
-
