Symphony No. 9 (Rec 1971)

"Modernist Maderna takes a singular and surprising approach to Mahler. It is always fascinating when modernist conductors whom one perhaps regards as somewhat analytical take on one of the great heart-on-sleeve composers. Boulez has just released a barnstorming Mahler 2 on DG, while BBC Legends uncovers this awesome Bruno Maderna Mahler 9. It hails from the Royal Festival Hall, March 1971. Maderna, cool? Have a listen.”
Editor's Choice – Gramophone Magazine (August 2006)

Bruno Maderna (1920-73) was born in Venice but after his studies became a naturalised German citizen in 1963, settling in Darmstadt where he founded summer courses and the Darmstadt International Chamber Ensemble. He was both a composer (early influences were Bartók and Stravinsky but later 12 tone and electronic music) and a most accomplished conductor, touring internationally. Maderna made many recordings of his own works and other contemporary composers, particularly of Boulez, Nono, Kagel, Lutoslawski and, by way of contrast, Torelli.

This recording of Mahler's Symphony No.9 is important because it presents Maderna's unique approach in a work which looks forward to the 20th century and also shows what a complete understanding he had of the Mahler idiom – Maderna was a both a composer and conductor, as was Mahler himself.

This very rare stereo recording is an addition to the Maderna discography and has been beautifully recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the Royal Festival Hall from 1971. Although Maderna performed Mahler's symphonies quite frequently, there are no other recordings available of his Mahler interpretations.