Mariss Jansons, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – Mahler: Symphony No.8 (2013) {SACD ISO + FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz}

Mariss Jansons’s interpretation of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 is yet another landmark for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, performed here with a star-studded cast. This recording is part of the orchestra’s full Mahler cycle presented from 2009 to 2011 to celebrate the composer’s 150th birthday and 100th anniversary of his death.

Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra recorded Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E flat in 2011, and this 2013 release presents that live rendition in the hybrid SACD format, with bonus audiovisual recordings included, either on DVD or Blu-ray disc. There’s a lot to consider about this package, for the “Symphony of a Thousand” can be appreciated as a purely musical experience and as a fascinating concert film, and both media present aspects of the work that add to a deeper understanding of Mahler’s achievement. However, this performance lacks the richness of ensemble sound and presence that other multichannel recordings of the Eighth provide, and the audio is similar to a high-quality conventional SACD. Jansons gets a satisfying performance from the eight vocal soloists, five choirs, and the orchestra, and his interpretive choices are cautious but adequate to communicate Mahler’s expressions. But this thoughtful performance doesn’t feel transcendent, and the singing and playing never rise to ecstatic heights. Furthermore, there are sections in Part II where Jansons’ exertions are quite noticeable, and this can be distracting to attentive listeners. Considering the increasing number of excellent recordings on the market in this audiophile format, this Eighth is ranked in the second tier and should be heard before purchasing.

Tracklist:
01. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus – Veni, creator spiritus
02. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus – Imple superna gratia
03. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus – Infirma nostri corporis
04. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus – Accende lumen sensibus
05. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus – Da gaudiorum praemia
06. Part 1: Veni, creator spiritus. Gloria Patri Domino
07. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Waldung, sie schwankt heran
08. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Ewiger Wonnebrand
09. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Füßen
10. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Gerettet ist das edle Glied
11. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Uns bleibt ein Erdenrest
12. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Höchste Herrscherin der Welt!
13. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Dir, der Unberührbaren
14. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Bei der Liebe, die den Füßen
15. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Neige, neige, du Ohnegleiche
16. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Komm! Hebe dich zu höhern Sphären!
17. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Blicket auf zum Retterblick
18. Part 2: Schlußszene aus Goethes Faust – Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein

Recorded live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on March 4 & 6, 2011.

Personnel
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Mariss Jansons – conductor
Christine Brewer – soprano
Camilla Nylund – soprano
Maria Espada – soprano
Stephanie Blythe – mezzo-soprano
Mihoko Fujimura – alto
Robert Dean Smith – tenor
Tommi Hakala – baritone
Stefan Kocán – bass
Netherlands Radio Choir
State Choir ‘Latvija’
Bavarian Radio Choir
National Boys Choir
National Children’s Choir

SACD ISO

mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013SACDIS.part1.rar
mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013SACDIS.part2.rar
mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013SACDIS.part3.rar
mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013SACDIS.part4.rar

FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz

mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013FLACStere2488.part1.rar
mqs.link_MarissJansnsRyalCncertgebuwrchestraMahler.SymphnyN.82013FLACStere2488.part2.rar