Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra delivered a bold and cohesive account of Mahler's Second Symphony, the Resurrection, at the Barbican. The performance confirmed Pappano's affinity for Mahler and the LSO's ability to follow his lead with precision and passion.
The evening opened with the UK premiere of Dai Fujikura's Amber Alchemy, a new work commissioned to celebrate the centenary of Nomura Holdings. Though unrelated to the Mahler, it proved a fascinating curtain-raiser.
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A New Work: Dai Fujikura's Amber Alchemy
Fujikura's Amber Alchemy was inspired by the beehives atop the Japanese financial company's London offices. In his programme note, the composer expressed his intention to evoke rather than illustrate, yet the orchestral buzz underpinning much of this engaging 10-minute work was hard to ignore.
Quivering strings and a shimmer of vibraphones opened proceedings with striking instrumental gestures trailing off in flickering diminuendos. Pappano and the LSO brought commendable clarity to Fujikura's intricately interwoven lines, contrasting the music's romantic outward sweep with its apian inner restlessness.
Mahler 2: A Dramatic and Turbocharged Opening
As for the Mahler, conductor and orchestra hit the ground running with a resolute and dramatically turbocharged account of the opening movement. Pappano unearthed much that felt fresh in a ferociously instinctual reading where clipped marches resolved in walloping payoffs and a massive rallentando two-thirds of the way through caused hearts to leap into mouths.
The movement's structural cohesion was never in doubt, with Pappano shaping the music's dramatic arc with a sure hand. The LSO responded with playing of great character and commitment.
Key Takeaways from the Performance
- Pappano's Mahler 2 was bold, dramatic and cohesive, with a ferociously instinctual reading of the opening movement.
- Dai Fujikura's Amber Alchemy received its UK premiere, a 10-minute work inspired by beehives and full of orchestral buzz.
- The LSO demonstrated why it is one of the world's great Mahler orchestras, following Pappano's every gesture.
- The concert highlighted Pappano's growing reputation as a Mahler interpreter.
Comparing the Movements: A Table of Contrasts
| Movement | Character | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| I. Allegro maestoso | Dramatic, turbocharged | Massive rallentando two-thirds through |
| II. Andante moderato | Lyrical, nostalgic | Delicate LSO strings |
| III. In ruhig fließender Bewegung | Scherzo-like, ironic | Pointed woodwind interjections |
| IV. Urlicht | Serene, intimate | Mezzo-soprano solo |
| V. Im Tempo des Scherzos | Epic, transcendent | Choral finale with organ |
The above table is illustrative; the actual performance's nuances may vary.
Pappano's Growing Mahler Legacy
Pappano has form with Mahler, and this performance added to his growing reputation in this repertoire. His instinctual approach, favoring dramatic sweep over microscopic detail, suits the LSO's own temperament.
The orchestra can be relied upon to follow where he leads, and here they did so with playing of great character and commitment. The result was a Resurrection that felt both fresh and inevitable.
What to Watch Next
Pappano and the LSO will continue their Mahler cycle, with future performances eagerly anticipated. The success of this Resurrection suggests that their partnership in this repertoire will only deepen.
For those interested in Pappano's work, his recent Tristan und Isolde with the LSO was also hailed as a triumph. Our Tristan und Isolde review: Pappano and LSO deliver a stunning Wagner explores that production in depth. The background to this story is set out in Mahler Academy Orchestra Review: A Trailblazing Performance. A related thread runs through Aurora Orchestra Review: Mahler's First Symphony Decoded.
Pappano's ability to draw cohesive and dramatic performances from the LSO is becoming a hallmark. As noted in our Berlioz Requiem review: Pappano's grand performance at Proms, he has a flair for large-scale choral works. Earlier coverage in CBSO Yamada Mahler 2 Review: Apocalyptic Season Opener shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Aurora Orchestra Mahler Review: Freudian Drama at Albert Hall.
The LSO's Mahler cycle continues to be a highlight of the concert calendar. This Resurrection confirmed that Pappano is a Mahlerian to be reckoned with. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Aurora Orchestra Mahler First Symphony Review: A Freudian Musical. The same theme surfaces in Mahler's First Symphony Review: Aurora Orchestra's Freudian, which takes a different angle.
FAQ
What did Pappano conduct with the LSO?
Antonio Pappano conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's Second Symphony, the Resurrection, and the UK premiere of Dai Fujikura's Amber Alchemy.
What is Dai Fujikura's Amber Alchemy about?
Amber Alchemy was inspired by the beehives atop Nomura Holdings' London offices. It is a 10-minute work that evokes rather than illustrates, with an orchestral buzz underpinning much of the music.
How was Pappano's Mahler 2 received?
The performance was praised for its bold, dramatic and cohesive reading, with a ferociously instinctual account of the opening movement and a massive rallentando that caused hearts to leap into mouths.
Will Pappano conduct more Mahler with the LSO?
Pappano has form with Mahler and this performance suggests further collaborations in this repertoire are likely. The LSO can be relied upon to follow his lead.
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