Mahler’s Ninth. Vladimir Ashkenazy Conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, by Andrew Miller


Mahler-1909
Gustav Mahler.

Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall: 18 May 2011

Sydney Symphony Orchestra
conductor - Vladimir Ashkenazy

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 13 in C, K415
piano - Steven Osborne

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 9
I. (Andante comodo)
II. (Im Tempo eines gemächlichen Ländlers. Etwas täppisch und sehr derb.)
III. Rondo. Burleske. (Allegro assai. Sehr trotzig.)
IV. Adagio. (Sehr langsam und noch zurückhaltend.)

Vladimir Ashkenazy's programs for his Mahler cycle are very generous, invariably opening the already enormous symphonies — though he makes them seem short — with a concerto, sharing disinterestedly with the fine soloists. I already admired Steven Osborne as a very artistic pianist from his recording of the Rachmaninoff Préludes. He seemed here to have in his mind the peculiar thematic unity of this Mozart concerto and his close relationship with the orchestra, sometimes leaving sublime and well judged silent moments between them and his cadenzas, gave the piece wholeness.

Read the full review on the Berkshire Review, an International journal for the Arts!