Reviews – Mahler Symphony No.9

“It's one thing to 'play with the soul' in music that's buoyant and life-affirming. It's quite another to commit your whole being to a symphony that - especially in Elder's interpretation - seems to tear the soul into pieces, and shred all hope as well.”

“The highlight in both movements was the exceptional quality of woodwind and brass playing. Amy Yule’s flute solos throughout were astonishingly good and there was much to admire in the trumpets’ momentary Scherzo glimpses ahead to the finale. Before thanking the sponsors at the beginning of the concert, the orchestra’s Chief Executive David Butcher suggested that this might be an “I was there” event; an hour and a half later, none present could disagree.”

“Shaping each bar for maximum impact, Elder dug deeply into Mahler's boundless reservoir of love and compassion, before steering the ship over the horizon towards a land of peacefulness and hope.”

“For the Adagio finale, Elder brought out the most passionate intensity yet from his strings, the keening horn solo contrasting with the desolation of the bars that followed. But in the end there was that quality of acceptance and farewell – not to life but to some of its joys – that brought its own hush and warmth.”