Mahler Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra - Symphony No 2 The Resurrection

davehughes502

Review by Dave Jones

Symphony No. 2 “The Resurrection” – A Wild Ride Through Mahler’s Genius Let’s cut to the chase: Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “The Resurrection” isn’t just another classical album; it’s a gut-punch of emotions wrapped in an orchestral tidal wave. Released in 1974 under labels like World Record Club and ABC Westminster Gold, this gem features Hermann Scherchen at the helm with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra doing what they do best—making magic. And let me tell you, this sucker hits hard. First off, I gotta shout out Track 1: Allegro Maestoso. Right from the get-go, you’re thrown into this stormy sea of strings and brass that feels equal parts chaotic and majestic. It’s like Mahler is saying, “Hey, sit down, buckle up, because we’re about to go places.” The tension builds so thick you could slice it with a butter knife, but somehow it never feels overwhelming—it’s more like being on the edge of your seat during a really good movie. By the time those horns explode into action, you’re hooked. This movement alone has enough drama to fill ten Netflix series. But if I had to pick one track that sticks with me long after the needle lifts (yeah, vinyl vibes), it’s Track 4: Urlicht. Holy smokes, does this piece pack a punch. Sung with heartbreaking simplicity (though not on this particular recording since it's instrumental-only here), it’s based on a poem from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, which translates loosely as "The Boy’s Magic Horn." Even without vocals, the orchestra channels every ounce of longing and hope embedded in the original text. There’s something raw and unfiltered about how the music climbs upward, like reaching for light through cracks in the ceiling. You can practically hear angels tuning their harps—or maybe that’s just me getting carried away. Either way, it’s unforgettable. What makes this recording stand out is Scherchen’s touch. He doesn’t just conduct; he breathes life into every note. Paired with the lush soundscapes crafted by the Vienna State Opera Orchestra, it’s no wonder this version still resonates decades later. Plus, kudos to Dr. Parks Grant for the liner notes—they add some nice context without sounding too stuffy. Here’s the kicker though: listening to The Resurrection feels less like entertainment and more like therapy. Like, who knew a bunch of violins and timpani could make you feel all the big feelings? One moment you’re vibing with triumph, the next you’re wallowing in existential dread. Honestly, it’s exhausting—but in the best possible way. And now for my random closing thought: If Mahler were alive today, he’d probably be cranking out film scores or dropping beats on Spotify. Dude knew how to craft a mood like nobody else. So grab a copy of this record if you can find one, pour yourself a drink, and let the symphony sweep you off your feet. Just don’t blame me when you start crying halfway through.

Download Mahler Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra - Symphony No 2 The Resurrection
Artist: Mahler Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Album: Symphony No 2 The Resurrection
Rating: 4.67

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: mahler-hermann-scherchen-vienna-state-opera-orchestra.zip
  • MP3 size: 50.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 334.6 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
3. In Ruhig Fliessender Bewegung
1. Allegro Maestoso
Symphony No. 2 "The Resurrection"
5. Im Tempo Des Scherzos: Wild Herausfahrend
2. Andante Moderato
5. (Continued) Im Tempo Des Scherzos: Wild Heraufahrend
4. Urlicht (From Des Knaben Wunderhorn): Sehr Feierlich, Aber Schlicht

Video

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection', Hermann Scherchen, Vienna 1958

Images

lataa albumi Mahler Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra - Symphony No 2 The Resurrection

Catalog Numbers

  • S/4581, S/4582, S-4581, S-4582
  • WGS-8262-2

Labels

  • World Record Club
  • ABC Westminster Gold

Listen online

  • escuchar en línea
  • écouter en ligne
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • ouvir online
  • online anhören

Formats

  • 2 × Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Club Edition
  • Stereo
  • Reissue
  • Gatefold

Credits

RoleCredit
Composed ByMahler
ConductorHermann Scherchen
Liner NotesDr. Parks Grant
OrchestraVienna State Opera Orchestra

Notes

  • "A WESTMINSTER recording, released exclusively in Australia by World Record Club."
  • Australian WRC 1st pressing, sourced from original stampers and featuring unique sleeve art. Not issued in mono. "S/4581" & "S/4582" on separate sleeves, "S-4581" and "S-4582" on green 'strobe' labels.
  • 299 Flinders Lane Melbourne
  • 177 Elizabeth St Sydney
  • Newspaper House, 93 Queen St Brisbane
  • Stafford House 23 Leigh St Adelaide
  • 143 Barrack St Perth
  • Duration of side C is 27:00

About Mahler Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra

Austrian composer and conductor. Born 7 July 1860 in Kalischt, Bohemia (today Kaliště, Czech Republic) and died 18 May 1911 in Vienna, Austria. Gustav Mahler (German pronunciation: ; was a late-Romantic Austrian-Bohemian composer and one of the leading conductors of his generation. As a composer, he acted as a bridge between the 19th century Austro-German tradition and the modernism of the early 20th century. While in his lifetime his status as a conductor was established beyond question, his own music gained wide popularity only after periods of relative neglect which included a ban on its performance in much of Europe during the Nazi era. After 1945 the music was discovered and championed by a new generation of listeners; Mahler then became one of the most frequently performed and recorded of all composers, a position he has sustained into the 21st century. Born in humble circumstances, Mahler showed his musical gifts at an early age. After graduating from the Vienna Conservatory in 1878, he held a succession of conducting posts of rising importance in the opera houses of Europe, culminating in his appointment in 1897 as director of the Vienna Court Opera (Hofoper). During his ten years in Vienna, Mahlerwho had converted to Catholicism from Judaism to secure the postexperienced regular opposition and hostility from the anti-Semitic press. Nevertheless, his innovative productions and insistence on the highest performance standards ensured his reputation as one of the greatest of opera conductors, particularly as an interpreter of the stage works of and . Late in his life he was briefly director of New York's and . He wed fellow composer and musician on 9 March 1902. They had two daughters, Maria Anna Mahler (03.11.1902-05.07.1907) & . Mahler's œuvre is relatively smallfor much of his life composing was a part-time activity, secondary to conductingand is confined to the genres of symphony and song, except for one piano quartet. Most of his ten symphonies are very large-scale works, several of which employ soloists and choirs in addition to augmented orchestral forces. These works were often controversial when first performed, and were slow to receive critical and popular approval; an exception was the triumphant premiere of his Eighth Symphony in 1910. Mahler's immediate musical successors were the composers of the Second Viennese School, notably , and . and are among later 20th-century composers who admired and were influenced by Mahler. The International Gustav Mahler Institute was established in 1955, to honour the composer's life and work.

Real Name

    • Gustav Mahler

Name Vars

  • Fauré
  • G. Mahler
  • G. Meler
  • G.Mahler
  • Gustav
  • Gustave Mahler
  • Maher
  • Mahler
  • Mahler G.
  • Mahler Gustav
  • Mahler, Gustav
  • Malher
  • Marhler
  • Μάλερ
  • Г. Малер
  • Г.Малер
  • Густав Малер
  • Малер
  • °¹¿ÕûÞüéü
  • Þüéü

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Mahler's *Symphony No. 2 "The Resurrection"* is a monumental piece in classical music, but this 1974 release by Hermann Scherchen and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra has its own unique charm. It was released in both Australia and the US under two different labels—World Record Club and ABC Westminster Gold. What’s wild is how Scherchen brought his own fiery interpretation to Mahler's Romantic masterpiece, making it stand out even decades after its original composition. The album includes all five movements, with the hauntingly beautiful *Urlicht* as a standout track. Fun tidbit: the liner notes were penned by Dr. Parks Grant, adding a personal touch to this iconic recording.

Comments

imgestockert
2025-03-14
0:00 I.
24:58 II.
36:52 III.
49:21 IV.
56:11 V.
magalee717
2025-03-13
The best 4th movement IMO. Perfect symbiosis between the alto and the orchestra, along with the tempo, it really catches the deepness and profoundity of the movement
angiemhart14
2025-03-13
Without a doubt, not only a slow tempo overall, but the absolute slowest, most dragged out finale I have ever heard! This is the greatest symphonic climax of all time and somehow, I feel, much of the grandeur and that "heaven storming" vibe is absent. Some of you may like it but music is subjective. Waaaay too slow. Listen to Abbado or Bernstein or Bruno Walter.
bernicesporta
2025-03-12
私は「復活」はこの演奏が一番だと思っております。まあ、マーラー全部シェルヘンが一番なんだけど。他にモーツアルトのレクイエムも一番です。
allhannahsondeck
2025-03-12
One of the young choir singer later became one of the world best known conductor of this symphony - Claudio Abbado.
gaddamsaritha2
2025-03-11
Much better sound, wonderful remastering.
brettbum
2025-03-10
Listening it again. Fantastic. 15 years traveling on youtube, I found only "Les berceaux" melody by Fauré played by Grumiaux in transcription for violin approaching such emotional power.
Listening it, I remember Lorin Maazel that I listened with national France orchestra. Thanks!
amazing
muarifmzx
2025-03-08
Absolutely magnificent, hypnotic.
flokrause1
2025-03-08
The soprano is quite average, unfortunately. The contralto is excellent, and what an orchestra, what a choir! The finale with the crescendo is solar, magnetic and certainly the best I have ever heard for the Resurrection. Splendid recording!
jorizeraule
2025-03-08
Thanks for sharing!
mohammedalhalabi89
2025-03-08
Scherchen, the _austrian Svetlanov_.
Wow! What a choir! We don't hear this kind of choral singing much any more, which is a tragedy.