Proms 2017: Mahler 2

Powerful performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 from Sakari Oramo and the BBC SO. I liked both Elizabeth Watts and Elisabeth Kulman a great deal — the quiet opening to Urlicht was very fine indeed. I think, on balance, comparing tonight's performance with my benchmark — Rattle's excellent version from early in his tenure with the CBSO — I prefer Rattle's legato and the smoother sound of the CBSO chorus. Although, admittedly, it's unfair to compare a live performance with a recording especially in Mahler 2, where the choir have a long unaccompanied section at the start of the langsam that presents a real challenge for the singers...