Released in the
Royal Flemish Philharmonic's A-List series of classical masterpieces, this 2012 recording of
Gustav Mahler's perennially popular Symphony No. 1 in D major is well worth hearing.
Edo de Waart and the orchestra offer up a straightforward and sympathetic reading that avoids excesses of interpretation as well as any attempts to revise the piece. (Thankfully, the rejected but over-recorded "Blumine" movement is not included here). The musicians really dig into the music and the thrust of the symphony is energetic and assertive, with some brusqueness and snappiness that keep things lively.
De Waart's tempos are not always spot on -- the slow-down in the middle of first movement seems too drawn out -- but most of the time he takes the music at a reasonably fast clip, and the pacing is well-maintained, especially where it counts in the Finale. The wide frequency range recording by Serendipitous is clear, vibrant, and full, so the orchestra has a credible presence, especially when the volume is boosted.