Records: Classical and Jazz
Mahler: 5th Symphony. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniele Gatti
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CLASSICAL
Mahler: 5th Symphony. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniele Gatti (Conifer, CD). With audiences and players beginning to register an embarras de Mahler, it would broadly speaking be a good idea to have less rather than more of him on disc. But this particular release is an exception. It proclaims Daniele Gatti as a masterful Mahlerian: sympathetic, uninhibited, and generous in his emotions. It declares the strength and depth of his involvement with the RPO. And it confirms the orchestra's surviving qualities after a period of unreliability and low morale. Apply the litmus test of Mahler 5 interpretations - the speed of the Adagietto - and you'll find Gatti unfashionably slow. But in this case it's no guide to the rest of the interpretation; and throughout the score the tempi respond flexibly and easily to changing moods, beginning with disarmingly brisk fanfares and a general buoyancy of spirit. Probably the finest disc the RPO has made in ages: you could do far worse within the crowded Mahler market. Michael White
JAZZ
Robert Wyatt: Rock Bottom/ Ruth is Stranger Than Richard (Hannibal, CD). The Wyatt revival continues apace with the re-release of his 1974 masterpiece, Rock Bottom, and 1975's follow-up recording, with even more to follow soon. Wheezing mockney vocals, querulous guitar from Hugh Hopper, and strange unearthly arrangements in which time appears to stand still, characterise these heart-rendering missives, flung into the Seventies void shortly after the accident that was to confine their author to a wheelchair for life. The new sleeve-notes to Rock Bottom also reveal Wyatt to be a writer of unusual talent. An autobiography surely needs to be commissioned soon. Phil Johnson
Various Artists: The Very Best of Latin Jazz (Global, CD) Mid-price, 145 minutes' worth of Latin and Brazilian favourites, including "Mais Que Nada" by Sergio Mendes, and Jim Hall and Chet Baker's version of "Conceirto de Aranjuez" from Sketches of Spain. PJ
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments