WQXR to air complete Mahler 9 conducted by Alan Gilbert tonight
Tonight at 8pm, WQXR will broadcast in its entirety the BIS label’s new recording of Maestro Alan Gilbert conducting Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The recording was made in June 2008 and captures Gilbert’s final performances as the orchestra’s chief conductor and artistic advisor; at the time he was also named the orchestra’s conductor laureate. Classics Today recently gave the recording ten out of ten for both artistic and sound quality. Reviewer David Hurwitz calls it “a stunning recording,” noting, “the playing throughout really is exceptional… . A prime choice among available Ninths.”
Alan Gilbert, who recently took over as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, has created a major buzz this season in the New York classical music scene, winning praise for his adventurous and thoughtful programming and his exemplary work on the podium. Meanwhile WQXR has shifted the classical music radio landscape in New York, changing from a commercial to a public radio station, moving dial location and joining forces with WNYC, New York City’s leading public radio station.
The rare broadcast of this masterpiece in its entirety will be featured on WQXR’s Symphony Hall at the station’s new dial position – 105.9FM – and online at wqxr.org.
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© 21C Media Group, October 2009