So, I thought the concert was fine. The tempo was great, roughly 90 minutes total as it should be, but the symphony was not played as dynamically as by others, primarily von Dohnanyi and Ozawa and less so Haitink [and much less so by Zander], especially the wind section which I expected more of. On the other hand, the rhythm was exceptional, and the correct tempo enabled the musicians to play complete notes, as opposed to rushing things through. Like von Dohnanyi, and as the score calls for, they paused after the first movement, Allegro Maestoso. No one else adheres to that. The soprano singing was simple outstanding.
In terms of the softer playing, consider that the triangles were oftentimes not audible, and the bass drum was too small, and again, winds were not as loud, and the chorus did not sign as loud, nor did the organ stand out at the end.
Overall, really great, but no one to date has matched von Dohnanyi, even Ozawa despite his faster tempo, in there, for drama, dynamism and expression of contrast. The funny thing is that my son liked the sound in my system with Ozawa better in many ways than what he heard live last night. He was probably referring to the drama in here. I tend to think that Nelsons played it more solemnly, this symphony starting with a funeral march and ending with a prayer for resurrection. The others played it more like a symphony than a music poem, if you will.
Nonetheless, the uproar in the end was there, and well deserved. It's that I have heard the audience react even more enthusiastically with Ozawa and von Dohnanyi. No tears this time around