Anna Larsson is a contralto. Listen to the richness, depth, and huskiness of her voice, the shimmering quality of her high notes. She is one of a few true altos out there and is such an expressive and beautiful artist.
They sing like angels ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️Mahler would have cried with joy-WHAT A PERFORMANCE! Simon Bolivar orchestra is great beyond words-Gustavo Dudamel brought out the very best in all of these excellent musicians-BRAVO BRAVO ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I agree! and I am usually just about on the floor, weeping, by the time this piece comes to an end. It takes us from the depths of despair to the heights of faith and love.
I usually come back to this just to close my eyes and listen. To say I haven't cried to this everytime would be a lie. This is pure divinity, specially the last part at 5:10 when she goes from forte to pianissimo in the same note, while the orchestra slowly fades in the back... Tears flood my eyes, I can feel bliss. What a wonderful performance.
0:27 just gives me chills. This whole symphony confronts death head on but ends with the “resurrection.” The horn chorale seems to symbolize the funeral.
Just seen Mahler 2 at the Barbican in London. Conductor Harding. Brilliant and moving. Absolute sell out. Chatting with the choir afterwards and they say how emotional it is to sing.
The problem for me is that they take it at a lethargic pace, (what another comment calls "flat and lifeless"). I have a couple dozen recordings of the Mahler 2nd, and only one of them (conducted by the always idiosyncratic Hermann Scherchen) takes longer to get through the Urlich than Dudamel does here. So naturally, the mezzo, poor thing, struggles and appears catatonic.
Ehh have to say I'm not a fan of this performance of that gorgeous trumpet soli. Wanted to like it so badly but it just sounds flat and lifeless to me compared to the Lenny/LSO one...sad really, they have such potential. I don't seem to very much care for Larsson either, her vibrato is....just...nauseating. Sorry guys, have to call it as I hear it :/
