MahlerFest XXXIV: Sawyers: Symphony No. 5; Mahler Symphony No. 5 (CD review)

Kenneth Woods, The Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra. Colorado MahlerFest.

By Karl W. Nehring

We have previously encountered American conductor Kenneth Woods in his role as conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra, where he has championed the works of contemporary composers, among them the English composer Philip Sawyers (b. 1951), several of whose previous compositions Maestro Woods has recorded with various U.K. orchestras. But Woods wears another hat as Artistic Director of the Colorado MahlerFest and conductor of their orchestra. Colorado MahlerFest is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1988 that presents an annual, weeklong festival celebrating Mahler’s life and music as well as the works of composers who influenced Mahler and by composers whom Mahler in turn influenced. The Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra draws together young professionals, conservatory and university students, and advanced amateurs. In 2005, the International Gustav Mahler Society of Vienna awarded Colorado MahlerFest its rarely bestowed Mahler Gold Medal. MahlerFest was honored alongside the New York Philharmonic, joining such past recipients as the Vienna Philharmonic and Leonard Bernstein.

In the program notes for the Mahlerfest performance, which occurred in August, 2021, Woods writes of Mahler’s Fifth that “it charts a journey from darkness to light not unlike that of Beethoven’s Fifth, a work with which it often compared. But where Beethoven’s Fifth ends in the unambiguous triumph of hope over despair, Mahler’s Fifth is more equivocal and more ambivalent. As Mahler began the new century, he seemed to be saying that tragedy and adversity are forever part of the human condition, that there can never be such a thing as ‘happily ever after,’ but that when storms pass, we must embrace life, seize the moment, and celebrate. The performance by Woods and his orchestra is lithe and flexible, never sounding melodramatic or exaggerated for effect. Just for fun I thought it would be interesting to compare it to one of my reference versions, that by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein (also a live performance). What hit me right away was just the sheer power of the Vienna Philharmonic; this was not really surprising, as the Vienna forces outnumbered the Colorado forces and were playing in a mighty fine acoustic space. Still, the MahlerFest forces have produced an attractive interpretation of this work, well worth an audition. The recording quality of these discs is more than acceptable – very good, in fact – but the plain truth is that the Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra is simply not going to sound like the Vienna Philharmonic, especially in Mahler. No shame in that.

But the real attraction of this release is the world premier recording of another Fifth Symphony, that of British composer Philip Sawyers (b. 1951), of whom. Woods observes: “Composer Philip Sawyers has become recognized as one of the most important symphonists of the past 50 years. Like so many musicians, Sawyers saw many long-anticipated projects disappear overnight following the emergence of Covid-19. However, like Mahler, he has chanelled his energies back into hi creative work, and since then he has produced a new Viola Concerto, a Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, a string orchestra piece, and most recently, his Fifth Symphony. Whether by coincidence or design, Sawyer’s Fifth is also in five movements, and, like the Mahler, it shows a composer at the height of his powers exploring new musical territory.” From the very opening, this symphony announces itself as the work of a serious, major composer. There is a strong sense of mystery in the opening movement, of something brewing beneath the surface. The second movement ups the energy level, giving the brass opportunity to shine, while the third movement, marked Lento, is more brooding and searching in tone. With some plaintive writing for the woodwinds. The fourth movement begins with swirling strings and continues in an energetic romp. The finale opens with boisterous brass and percussion and continues along with high energy until shifting gears and ending subtly, as if in a dream – simple, but striking.

The Sawyers Symphony No. 5 is a remarkable work that deserves wider recognition. It can be purchased here: https://mahlerfest.org/product-category/mfaudio/.

KWN