With this reading of the
Symphony No. 3 in D minor
, conductor
Osmo Vänskä
and the
Minnesota Orchestra
conclude their cycle of
Mahler
's symphonies. It may be taken as broadly exemplary of the whole set in its overall restraint and in the extraordinary engineering work brought to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis by the
BIS
label. For those of a certain age whose conception of
was shaped by
Leonard Bernstein
,
Vänskä
's reined-in
may be a trifle difficult to take. In the march-like passages, in the vast arcs of the music, one sometimes wants him to let his hair down. This said, there are many passages of great beauty here, and for the listener in tune with
's general approach, the album may be just the ticket. The slow finale is beautifully played by the orchestra and unfolds in a single gesture. All the singing is good, and
deserves credit for this; mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston
is gorgeous, and the
Women of the Minnesota Chorale
Minnesota Boychoir
in the fourth movement are the equals of any choristers who have sung this music. Best of all may be the sound, although those listening on lesser equipment may find the quiet passages close to inaudible. Those whose stereos are up to the job will find extraordinary dynamic range, beautifully controlled across the board. Will this replace the other strong
Thirds
on the market? Maybe not, but for high-end audiophile buyers, it probably will. The album made classical best-seller lists in the spring of 2024. ~ James Manheim