Michael Tilson Thomas and Mahler

Started by Bogey, November 27, 2010, 03:38:51 PM

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Bogey

November 27, 2010, 03:38:51 PM
Just wanted to get your take on this series from MTT.  I do not own any, but was considering a few.
There will never be another era like the Golden Age of Hollywood.  We didn't know how to blow up buildings then so we had no choice but to tell great stories with great characters.-Ben Mankiewicz

Todd

#1
November 27, 2010, 03:42:31 PM
It's uneven, like all complete cycles, but at it's best it's quite good.  For me the highlights are the 2nd (Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is magical), 4th (even with its almost distended slow movement), 6th, and 9th.  Some of the song cycles are good, though some are not quite so great.  Sound is generally superb, to boot.  I say buy one or two to get an idea before plunging in. 

You can also get the complete cycle on LP if you want, though that will set you back over $700.
The universe is change; life is opinion. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

People would rather believe than know - E.O. Wilson

Propaganda death ensemble - Tom Araya

Bogey

#2
November 27, 2010, 03:43:44 PM
What is your take on No. 1?
There will never be another era like the Golden Age of Hollywood.  We didn't know how to blow up buildings then so we had no choice but to tell great stories with great characters.-Ben Mankiewicz

Todd

#3
November 27, 2010, 03:49:22 PM
Quote from: Bogey on November 27, 2010, 03:43:44 PMWhat is your take on No. 1?



Good but not exceptional.
The universe is change; life is opinion. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

People would rather believe than know - E.O. Wilson

Propaganda death ensemble - Tom Araya

Bogey

#4
November 27, 2010, 03:52:01 PM
Quote from: Todd on November 27, 2010, 03:49:22 PM


Good but not exceptional.

I was considering a #1 for my God children, and thought I would toss this against the Chailly that I have and enjoy.  Sounds like there are better contenders, but I am intrigued with the 4th, my favorite.
There will never be another era like the Golden Age of Hollywood.  We didn't know how to blow up buildings then so we had no choice but to tell great stories with great characters.-Ben Mankiewicz

DavidW

#5
November 27, 2010, 04:02:41 PM
Quote from: Bogey on November 27, 2010, 03:52:01 PM
I was considering a #1 for my God children, and thought I would toss this against the Chailly that I have and enjoy.  Sounds like there are better contenders, but I am intrigued with the 4th, my favorite.

Have you tried Gielen in #1?

kishnevi

#6
November 27, 2010, 08:09:50 PM
I have some but not all of the cycle
2, 5, 7--good but not necessarily superior to all  other recordings
3--sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't.  This is the longest (approx. 106 minutes) recording of 3 I have--only Bernstein's DG recording comes close.  By comparison, Gergiev comes in at 92 minutes and change, Haitink with the Concertgebouw and Rattle 94 or 95, while Bernstein Sony, Zander, Zinman, and Mehta with the Bavarians are all at the 100 minute mark.   Filled out by a mediocre Kindertotenlieder.
8--probably the best recent recording (meaning, better than Zinman or Gergiev), and twinned with a very good Adagio from 10.
Klagende Lied--best of the three I have (Rattle and Chailly being the other two)
DLvdE--very good all male version

springrite

#7
November 27, 2010, 08:27:45 PM
Quote from: kishnevi on November 27, 2010, 08:09:50 PM
Klagende Lied--best of the three I have (Rattle and Chailly being the other two)

Agreed. I'd pick it as the first MTT Mahler.
Do what I must do, and let what must happen happen.
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