Conductor Daniel Gatti laid bare the essence of Mahler's music in an inspiring display with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Sage Gateshead.
The programme opened with settings of the folk songs and poems Des Knaben Wunderhorn.
Guest soloist Detlef Roth was indisposed, but baritone James Rutherford stepped into the breach. The rich orchestration of the music makes it hard work for the soloist, especially coming from a bass line, though Rutherford projected himself well, rounding off with expansive Gute Nacht.
The performance of Symphony No 1 in D major Titan was a real treat. From the opening gossamer violin line, Gatti laid out his stall with steady deliberation - almost painstakingly so, with each element introduced with relish. But then it was the perfect build up to what was to come. The woodwinds were vividly evocative of bird calls and spacious pacing of the first movement redolent of an airy forest with light streaming in. The titanic explosive opening of the last movement rent the air. The audience was ecstatic.
Gavin Engelbrecht
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