Zubin Mehta’s Innovative Interpretation of Schubert’s Ninth Symphony in Madrid
Zubin Mehta,the renowned conductor,recently presented a compelling interpretation of franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great” at the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid on February 14-15, 2024. The performance, featuring the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, showcased Mehta’s distinctive approach to the work, particularly through a novel orchestral arrangement.
Mehta is known for his interpretations of this symphony, including a highly regarded live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Salzburg Festival in 1985 (Orfeo). However,his recent performances have been marked by a unique orchestral disposition. He has positioned the woodwinds and horns in front of the strings and around the conductor’s podium, a setup he first employed in 2024 with the Belgrade Philharmonic.
This arrangement isn’t rooted in ancient performance practice, but rather in acoustic considerations. Mehta aims to achieve a better balance between the wind and string sections without increasing the orchestra’s size. The proximity of the woodwinds also allows for more direct interaction and control during the performance, complemented by a well-coordinated string section led by the concertino.
Critics noted the benefits of this setup were immediately apparent, creating an expressive balance between the woodwinds and strings, particularly in the variations following the opening horn theme. The transition from the Andante to the Allegro ma non troppo was described as flowing and expansive. Mehta’s tempo choices avoided extremes – neither overly slow in the second movement nor excessively forceful in its dramatic climax.
The Scherzo was rendered with a gentle quality, allowing the subsequent Trio to breathe with a pastoral character. The concluding Allegro vivace was exhilarating without resorting to unrestrained energy. The performance culminated in a standing ovation from the Madrid audience for Mehta, who conducted from his wheelchair, offering a fitting tribute to Schubert’s “great” symphony.
The concert also included works by richard Wagner, Max Bruch, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Ludwig van Beethoven, with a violin solo performance by María Dueñas.