Mahler, Gustav - Symphony No. 6 - Rattle, Simon

One of Simon Rattle's first concert programs as the new chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra was Gustav Mahler's Sixth Symphony. The performances marked the beginning of a new chapter in the interpretation of Mahler, as Rattle, like his predecessors Jansons, Maazel, and Kubelík, is an avid admirer of the composer. BR-KLASSIK has now released live recordings of the concerts.

Gustav Mahler's Sixth Symphony is perhaps the darkest work he ever wrote – its nickname is "The Tragic." And there is something almost destructive about the last movement. "But strangely enough," says Simon Rattle, "it is also a very classical symphony. Yes, it is extreme, but in long passages it is less wild than his other works – even though it conveys a poignant message. But it's like many great works: they can always be interpreted in different ways. I've been conducting the Sixth for forty years now, and over time I've come to understand that it also contains hope."