Mahler and MoreLloyd Schwartz, The Boston Phoenix, September 12, 2003Posted: 2003-09-18 09:54:31 Some of the most memorable classical music events of the past couple of decades have been performances of Gustav Mahler by Benjamin Zander and his Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. One of these, the Sixth, is preserved on CD, and Zander is in the process of recording a Mahler series with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London for Telarc - with his illuminating thoughts about these massive works on accompanying bonus discs. Probably no musician alive has thought more about Mahler. And very few have equaled the intensity and profundity of his best performances. In an extraordinary gesture, Zander and the BPP are devoting their entire concert season to Mahler and only Mahler.
This "Mahler Journey" begins with Mahler Symphony No. 1 and his early song cycle, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ("Songs of the Wayfarer"), with baritoneWilliam Sharp. What Mahler aficionados will probably be most curious about, however, is the "Blumine" movement that Mahler removed from his First Symphony. Whether this movement should be performed separately (as it will be here) or as part of the symphony is already being debated (October 9 and 12 at Sanders Theatre; October 11 at Jordan Hall). The second concert includes Mahler's Fourth Symphony (soprano yet to be announced) and the Kindertotenlieder ("Songs on the Death of Children"), with one of the world's greatest interpreters of German songs, the Japanese mezzo-soprano Mitsuko Shirai (November 20 and 23 at Sanders Theatre; November 22 at Jordan Hall). For the midweek "Discovery" series, Zander speaks about the music during the concert; on weekends, he speaks an hour and a quarter beforehand. Call (617) 236-0999.
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