Mahler: Symphony No. 10 (Cooke version) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle (EMI CDC 5 56972 2).

Mahler: Symphony No. 10 (Cooke version) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle (EMI CDC 5 56972 2)

Many conductors choose to conduct only the opening Adagio from this symphony, because it was the only movement fully completed by Mahler. Back in 1980, the young conductor Simon Rattle made quite a splash with his release of the Cooke version of the Mahler 10th as completed by musicologist Deryck Cooke. Others had recorded this completed version before, notably Eugene Ormandy, but it was the Rattle recording that really captured people's attention. I owned that version on LP, then some years later (it was released in 1992) purchased the EMI CD, which I still own. (I know you are expecting a careful comparison of the two versions, but frankly, I simply have not had the time or the energy needed to do such a comparison--it is hard enough to find the time and energy to do a Double Double for each issue, which reminds me that when I finish with this review, I had better get cracking on my Sibelius 4th comparison!)

In 1999, Sir Simon Rattle was appointed as the new music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, and he has turned to the Mahler 10th for his first recording with that distinguished ensemble. This release was made from live performances that took place in September, 1999. The performances have almost a chamber-music kind of sound, which is a mixed blessing. On the plus side, the music seems lovingly played, with many lovely lines coming to the forefront. On the minus side, the music at times comes across as muted, restrained, almost timid, particularly in the opening Adagio. Although it may well be that memory has exaggerated what I actually heard at the time, I can recall being awed by the power that Sir Georg Solti unleashed from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on a London LP back in the vinyl era.

Also, there have been other version of the completed 10th. Some time back, I reviewed the Remo Mazzetti, Jr. performing arrangement (which I understand was subsequently withdrawn by Mazzetti, but then recently superseded by a newer Mazzetti version of the completed score) as performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin. One thing that sticks out in my mind about that version is that Mazzetti used a solo string bass in the last movement in place of the tuba that Cooke had used; the string bass sound struck me as much more appropriate. Telarc is coming out soon with a recording of this new Mazzetti arrangement performed by the Cincinnati Orchestra under their departing conductor Jesus Lopez-Cobos; their recording of Mahler's 9th is one of the finest orchestral CDs ever made, so it will be interesting to see what they do with the 10th.

So, where does this all leave the new recording by Sir Simon? If you are a Mahler lover, you probably ought to pick up this disc. Sir Simon loves this music, the orchestra plays with precision, and this really is a disc that Mahler lovers ought to hear. For those new to Mahler who want to explore the repertoire, this disc would be an excellent choice for a first 10th. Meanwhile, I am eagerly awaiting the new Telarc, and am beginning to wonder whether the old Chicago/Solti performance of the Adagio is readily available on CD, so that I can find out whether my memory is playing tricks on me. -- KWN