This release of a concert performance of Mahler’s Sixth is the third in a very successful series of recordings on Simax by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra of the composer’s symphonies, and the first to feature its current chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
This recording of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony was made during concerts in March 2010. Previous releases by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra of the First and Ninth (PSC1270), and the Seventh (PSC1271) have been conducted by Mariss Jansons, but the this new CD features renowned Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste. The Oslo Philharmonic are playing concerts of Mahler in Europe this season with Saraste, and will perform Symphonies 9, 4 and 8 during this and the coming season.
Gustav Mahler made many comments to the effect that his Sixth Symphony should be understood as a highly personal, even autobiographical work. Although It was composed in the summers of 1903 and 1904, one of the happiest times of his life he considered the Sixth his 'Tragic Symphony'. When Mahler composed the symphony he originally placed the scherzo second and the Andante moderato third, but remained unsure if this was the most effective order of movements. After trying both possible orders in early performances however he decided the Andante should come second and the scherzo third. However in 1910 he decided to return to the original order of the movements, as reflected in this recording.
