This Kubelik Mahler Two is the latest in Audite’s series of live Bavarian Radio broadcast concerts. As an interpretation it shares many of the virtues of Kubelik’s 1960s studio recording on Deutsche Grammophon–a warmly dramatic conception with special care taken in key passages, such as the wildly energetic march in the fifth movement and the beautifully drawn out heaven-storming conclusion. Kubelik coaxes some lovingly tender playing from the Bavarian strings in the more lyrical passages, especially the first movement’s second subject and the gently paced Andante, and Edith Mathis and Brigitte Fassbaender contribute some beautiful solo singing.
Where this performance falls short is in its lack of a cutting edge; Kubelik doesn’t build up tension the way other conductors, most notably Bernstein, do throughout the symphony (especially in the grinding first movement climax). A big factor is the reticent and gingerly played percussion, which mutes Mahler’s intended impact for much of the performance. Still, the reading as whole communicates the spirit of the music, and the live recording is very vivid, with only the final apotheosis showing signs of dynamic saturation. A nice memento, but Kubelik’s earlier recording, available on a single disc, is the better choice.
