Mahler: Symphony No. 2 & Totenfeier
Chailly's admirable Mahler 2nd is distinguished by the superb playing of the Concertgebouw, but it's marred by a somewhat opaque recording and by one of the slowest last movements on disc. In itself, the latter is not a fatal flaw, merely an idiosyncratic personal touch, which listeners will accept as insightful or reject as a misjudged letdown. Even there, however, numerous passages are done with sensitivity to Mahler's instructions and the soprano-mezzo duet is gorgeous. The characterful scherzo movement is a highlight, as expected from an orchestra whose wind section is second to none. Another highlight is Petra Lang's singing of Urlicht, the fourth movement's song from Youth's Magic Horn, where she's perfection itself. The filler is a welcome oddity, Mahler'sTotenfeier(Funeral Rites), an early version of the Symphony's first movement. Chailly's is a provocative, interesting version of a great work that can take many differing viewpoints.--Dan Davis