Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich launched their Mahler cycle this month with three performances of Mahler Symphony No. 5. The project, which will be a major focus over the next five years, is being recorded by Alpha Classics with the first release appearing in Spring 2025.
Here’s what the critics said:
“A highly personal and outstanding interpretation … quite visceral, decidedly expressive, a touch virulent, as if spoken from the gut, with all one’s soul.”
Platea Magazine
“This burning intensity and desire for expression are new with Järvi, who is more impulsive and personally involved than we have ever heard before… The tone is thus set for the new Mahler cycle – it could be an exciting journey.”
Neue Zürcher Zeitung
“The maestro gives meaning to this landmark work in the repertoire with a clear reading. He knows his score intimately and knows what he wants to achieve … ”
Crescendo.be
“Järvi frees the music from its predominantly highly emotional, sometimes overly obsessive and intoxicating navel-gazing. His priority is to reveal the architecture of the monstrous symphony, to show edge and texture with clear movements and clockwork precision, to understand the score as a great whole to which the individual parts must conform … The marvellous Tonhalle Orchestra and conductor are perfectly attuned, artistically congenial partners. A stirring start has been made, and we can look forward to the sequel.”
Online Merker.de