Credits:

Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

A live performance at the Berlin Philharmonie on January 13, 1966! While Barbieri’s passion in live performances is something rarely captured on his official recordings, the explosive energy here is simply staggering. As expected, this is a masterful performance made possible by the Berlin Philharmonic’s exceptional ensemble skills. When it comes to Mahler performed by Barbirolli and the BPO, the story surrounding “the definitive performance of Symphony No. 9 → the 1964 studio recording” is extremely famous, but their relationship was a long-standing one. In the 1950s and 1960s, he served as principal conductor of the Halle Orchestra, but even during that time, he made frequent guest appearances. Barbirolli was a typical “late bloomer” conductor, and his fame in his later years was immense. The music he created conveys a deeply human and rich impression, perhaps influenced by the fact that he was himself a master cellist. The mainstays of his repertoire were works of British music, Sibelius, and, above all, Mahler. The depth of his artistry, particularly from the 1960s through 1970 (he passed away in July of that year), truly evokes the “supreme artistry of a master.” Here we have a conductor who unleashed his own passion in the “live” setting, and the highly skilled musicians of a “super orchestra” responding with reverence. This performance powerfully conveys the fundamental appeal of Symphony No. 6, a work bearing the title “Tragic.” After nearly 40 years, this long-awaited official release is truly a must-hear. Although in mono, it is a recording from Berlin RIAS Radio.

Tracklisting:

1. Symphony no 6 in A minor "Tragic"