Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, David Zinman - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (2008) CD-Rip

Had this disc been released a couple of decades ago, it might have been hailed as a nice addition to the Mahler discography, but today it has little to recommend it beyond its (admittedly high) standard of professionalism. The first movement has gravitas, to be sure, but it also exhibits a certain sogginess of rhythm and lack of intensity at the climax of the development section that prevents the necessary fury from breaking though the funereal gloom. Zinman’s Andante, though, has a sweet simplicity that’s just about perfect–and infinitely superior to Norrington’s recent revolting “authentic” treatment. The scherzo also goes well, with the solo clarinet effectively capturing Mahler’s parodistic writing. Yet here too, the “cry of despair” comes off as more of a mild exclamation.

Meanwhile, in the vocal department, something dreadful has happened to Anna Larsson. Her “Urlicht” has all manner of affectation in terms of phrasing and dynamics, allied to a tone that’s just plain ugly. This is without doubt one of the most unpleasant performances of this movement yet recorded. The finale erupts decently enough, but like the first movement it doesn’t manage to avoid a feeling of heaviness. Zinman fails to let the brass really peal, or the percussion crash and bash as Mahler intends. The very name “Swiss Chamber Choir” says something about the performance’s lack of “bigness”, and whether as a result of microphone placement or a simple lack of personnel, the two soloists practically out-shout the whole chorus at the end, a defect particularly noticeable in surround-sound.

If this review reads more like a litany of complaints, it has to be stressed that this is a serous, musicianly effort by all concerned. Both conductors and orchestras today are generally too well-versed in an idiomatic Mahlerian style to make a total mess of things. But competition in this music is extremely fierce. If it’s precision and superb playing that you want, there’s Levi/Atlanta on Telarc, and for emotional extravagance there’s Bernstein first and foremost among many others. Somewhere in the middle, we have outstanding performances from Klemperer, Gielen, and the recent Fischer on Channel Classics, which also offers an unparalleled sonic experience. Unfortunately, in this company Zinman simply isn’t competitive.