Two remote orchestras join forces for massive Mahler 3

Two remote orchestras join forces for massive Mahler 3

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

November 13, 2023

In an unusual setting aside of sectoral rivalry, two Canadian symphony orchestras pooled forces to perform Mahler’s third symphony, which requires in addition to a large orchestra a womens’ chorus, girls choir and femmale soloist. Neither Calgary nor Edmonton, both in Alberta, could manage this on their own.

So they pooled resources and pulled off a remarkable performance, connducted by Rune Bergmann.

Read here.

Comments

  • Fred Funk says:

    No viola players were harmed during the production, performance of this work.

  • Richard says:

    This is one of the three weak Mahler symphonies and is performed too often, wasting resources.

    • J Barcelo says:

      “weak”? A good performance can be a life-changing event. It was for me who first heard it in concert at age 17. Blown away, stunned, awed. It’ a very life-affirming, exciting and magnificent work.

      • Kenny says:

        Got my ‘rents to drive me from Syracuse to Tanglewood for it as a HS graduation present in 1977. Most definitely life changing. The local symphony was lucky to pull off M2.

        They didn’t “get it,” but it didn’t matter.

    • Bill Ward says:

      This reminds me of a dowager behind me who kept complaining loudly during a glorious performance by Sir John Barbirolli. Finally a man beside me turned and told her, “if you don’t like it, leave!” I would offer you the same advice.

    • Novagerio says:

      Richard: three weak ones? Do tell! Wich are the other two? By the way, may I recommend Tennstedt’s live version with LPO from 1983?

    • Mr B says:

      This is something that a pseudo sophisticate, ignorant person would say out loud

    • Bone says:

      At present 2 thumbs up vs 92 thumbs down.
      I believe the kids today call this being ratioed.

  • Emil says:

    Calgary, of course, is in Alberta. The second orchestra was from Edmonton – also in Alberta.

  • CPO Musician says:

    One statement is not true….
    The Calgary Philharmonic performed this work back in 2011 with Roberto Minczuk, using extras in town to fill the extra parts. Calgary regularly performs Mahler, once every season, sometimes twice. It is very popular here.

    • Andy says:

      I went to one of those concerts. There was extreme social distancing in the audience. And that was before covid. Hundreds of empty seats. Perhaps you meant popular with the musicians for whom it’s a big payday.

  • Bulgakov says:

    Quite fitting that two orchestras combined for this, as the premiere in Krefeld under the composer’s direction featured the combined forces of the Krefeld Stadtischen Kapelle and the Cologne Gurzenich Orchestra.

  • Don Ciccio says:

    A reminder never to take for granted performances of such music if we live in any city with a good, and good size, orchestra.

    Congratulations to Mr. Bergmann and everyone involved.

  • Joel Lazar says:

    I saw and heard Bergmann guest conduct the Baltimore Symphony a few years back in a superb performance of Nielsen 4th, a work unfamiliar to the orchestra. I’m sure he did a splendid Mahler 3rd, congratulations to all!

    • OSF says:

      I’m sure he did, too. And he did a wonderful Bruckner 7 in Baltimore last week. I think I missed that Nielsen 4 for some reason; would have loved to hear that.

  • Kenny says:

    That’s a boy chorus (Knabenchor) and women in “Act V.”

  • Kenny says:

    It matters if you’re hiring them.

  • OSF says:

    Both Edmonton and Calgary are large and prosperous cities, of course, though their orchestras aren’t massive. I’m sure either could do it with a few local extras, but nice that they combined forces like this. Oddly, it appears they only played it in Calgary, not in Edmonton.

  • Greg Hlatky says:

    Would have been better if the performers were wearing Oilers and Flames jerseys to tell who was from where.

  • James T Decker says:

    Actually, the Calgary Philharmonic has played the piece before – about 15 years ago. There were many extra musicians hired but it was entirely a local production. Still, it was great to revisit this work and to welcome our Edmonton colleagues.

  • James Scott says:

    That comment was from James Scott, not James T. Decker. Autofilled by mistake!

  • Andy says:

    And the beat goes on;
    And the beat goes on.

    Were lives really changed?

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