The Cleveland Orchestra & Mahler Symphony No.2
On September 30, 2022, The Cleveland Orchestra performed Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” which was truly a thing of beauty. The orchestra, led by conductor Franz Welser-Möst, a fellow Austrian like Mahler himself, both of them previously held the directorship at the Wiener Staatsoper, delivered a stellar performance that captivated the audience from start to finish. The orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s symphony was breathtaking.
The musicians played with a great sense of intensity and passion, creating a vivid and dynamic soundscape. The strings were especially powerful and tidy, sometimes even feeling like a string quartet, while the brass and woodwinds gave the piece a lush and vibrant texture. The soloists, Lauren Snouffer, soprano, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, mezzo-soprano were outstanding, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus sang with great emotion and expression. The I. Allegro maestoso and V. Im Tempo des Scherzos movements of the symphony were the highlight of the night. From the solemn Trauermarsch to the heart-racing outcry of the finale, Franz Welser-Möst showcases exceptional abilities to lead the orchestra with such precision in tempi and dynamics.
The beauty of Severance Hall is that its grandeur and Art Deco design seem to perfectly reflect the majesty of a Mahlerian-size orchestra. Everything from its stone exterior to its majestic interior exudes a sense of sophistication and timelessness. The intricate details of the ceiling, the ornate chandelier, and the grand organ create an atmosphere that is awe-inspiring and inviting. However, not a criticism but an observation, the dryness of the Hall prevented the conductor and orchestra from “relax” on the II. Andante moderato and IV. “Urlicht” movements, which led to an unfulfilling build to the fast III. Scherzo and V. Finale movements. This is the limitation of the acoustics, not the abilities of the conductor and musicians.
Nevertheless, the performance was mindblowing and made even more special by the recent addition of the original manuscript of the symphony - a gift of German media mogul and Cleveland Orchestra trustee Herbert Kloiber. It was a great honor to witness such a rare and priceless piece of music history, and it added a special touch to the performance. Seeing this priceless piece of musical heritage made the music come to life even more, and it was a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
