Mahler / Berlin Philharmonic / Haitink (Philps, studio recordings0

[Roland van Gaalen]

Hypothesis: Haitink's 'restraint', 'integrity', 'good taste' work well
in Mahler. I'm testing this now on the basis of his studio recordings of
symphonies 1,2,3,5,6,7 with the Berlin Philharmonic. No. 1 sounds just
right, as it were: unmannered, refined, expressive—not dull at all.

Unfortunately, No. 2 (which I sort of liked twenty years ago) does not
clearly confirm my hypothesis. Movements 3-5 are mostly OK -― the finale
is too much for me anyway, I find it pompous -―, but the first two are
slow and dull. Is this good music or kitsch? Haitink makes a strong case
for kitsch.
--
Roland van Gaalen
The Netherlands

[DeepBlue]

Post by Roland van Gaalen
Hypothesis: Haitink's 'restraint', 'integrity', 'good taste' work well
in Mahler. I'm testing this now on the basis of his studio recordings of
symphonies 1,2,3,5,6,7 with the Berlin Philharmonic. No. 1 sounds just
right, as it were: unmannered, refined, expressive—not dull at all.
Unfortunately, No. 2 (which I sort of liked twenty years ago) does not
clearly confirm my hypothesis. Movements 3-5 are mostly OK -― the finale
is too much for me anyway, I find it pompous -―, but the first two are
slow and dull. Is this good music or kitsch? Haitink makes a strong case
for kitsch.

Haitink's "restraint" works best in the bathroom.

Cheers!