Mahler, Gustav. Symphony No. 2 in C-Minor, "Resurrection."
The Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor.
with Corinne Frank, Soprano & Ann O'Malley Gallogly, Contralto.
Twin City Symphony Chorus, Rupert Sircom, Chorusmaster.
Biddulph
Recordings WHL-032. (Mono/Compact Disc).
Originally released as 
RCA
Victor Red Seal DM-256 (Mono/12 Discs/78 r.p.m.).
Recorded live in concert 1 June 1935 at Cyprus Northrup Memorial Auditorium
Usually, when hearing recordings originally released on 78 rpm records - and especially on knockoff labels - one expects to sacrifice sound quality for that all-important goal of obtaining a "historical recording." Surprisingly, Biddulph must have had an immaculate master copy from which it transferred this recording: The sound is state-of-the-art (for 1935), the microphone picking up solo instrumentalists just as readily as various sections or the entire orchestra itself. The dynamic range of the varied instrumentalists and soloists attests to the great care Ormandy himself chose in rendering this piece. There is also a minimum of surface noise from the original discs, although I can't detect that this is a result of radical filtering. The only drawback to this disc is that it was recorded pre-hi-fi, but I wasn't expecting a full frequency range, anyhow.
But, most important of all is Ormandy's performance, which is strikingly similar to his 1970 release with the Philadelphia Orchestra (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-7066, out of print): He opens the first movement with a fiercely driven tempo that recalls some of his great Columbia recordings to mind (Franck's Symphony, Sibelius' Fifth Symphony, Saint-Saens' "Organ" Symphony with E. Power Biggs, among others). Despite the lightning-quick tempi, the orchestra has a well-polished, "warm," tone, and the strings have a strong, unified sound, stringendo at times, austerely dampened at others (this in contradistinction to the 1970 release, in which the strings have more of that characteristically lush "Philadelphia Sound.").
Ann O'Malley Gallogly's contralto sets an achingly beautiful yet desolate to the tone of the fourth movement (Urlicht). Here, the orchestra is held back, as they are in the opening to the finale, in tempo and in dynamics. The movement opens tragically, sadly, the horns tolling a haunting funeral dirge. From these depths, a rousing and triumphant finale wells up, trumpets sending forth a piercing, audible light. Ormandy employs church bells from Minneapolis which, though slightly out of tune, ring joyously above the music. The chorus comes across as solemn and impassioned. One senses the exaltation of Christ's resurrection and defeat of evil.
This recording of Mahler's 2nd is a welcome addition to any lover of great music, for after over 60 years, it still has the power to excite and inspire. If you haven't heard this sterling recording, then what better one to go to than one which introduced this masterwork to so many?
If your record store is unable to find this CD for you, you can contact Biddulph directly, by mail: Biddulph Recordings, 34 St. George Street, London W1R 0ND, England, UK.
