Recordings That You Are Considering

[Opus106]

By quoting me, you already got the full text in perfectly legible font right in front of you. :-)

I did it once in the hope that I won't have to do it again in the future.

I think my point--a simple "No"--was muddled by an explanation... of whatever qualitative or quantitative merit.

I don't know why I used at least there ...a poor choice of term. I actually wanted to say something like "even if it's only quantitatively so", meaning "I read your posts (most, anyway ) with interest, so please don't make me work for it".

[DavidRoss]

Is the Naxos Mahler box -



- worth the $30 MDT is asking for it? Of course, there are several other Mahler boxes in the $30 range, like Bertini's and Levine's...

If I were advising someone completely unfamiliar with Mahler who wanted to take the plunge, I'd suggest this



from Amazon marketplace for $40.    I believe the unified vision of a cycle by one performer is a better way into a substantial body of work like Gus's symphonies.  And the Kubelik cycle holds up (for me) better than any other available at such a low price, with virtually every symphony performed well and with no interpretive excesses that might put off newcomers to the music.

[jlaurson]

If I were advising someone completely unfamiliar with Mahler who wanted to take the plunge, I'd suggest this



from Amazon marketplace for $40.    I believe the unified vision of a cycle by one performer is a better way into a substantial body of work like Gus's symphonies.  And the Kubelik cycle holds up (for me) better than any other available at such a low price, with virtually every symphony performed well and with no interpretive excesses that might put off newcomers to the music.

In total agreement with this, let me quote someone writing on the Naxos set:

...although getting the [Halasz-Wit] set for $60 is a distinct possibility, that makes it more expensive than some of the most venerable sets out there. In fact, it makes it one of the most expensive ones. Chailly's Mahler (Decca) has a lower list price. Bertini's Mahler (EMI) is one of the great Mahler-bargains. Bernstein's New York Cycle, even in the beautiful Carnegie Hall edition, is less expensive at $50 and the DG cycle in its latest issue costs less than $40. Kublik's Bavarian cycle on DG has come down in price below the $50 mark, ditto imports of Decca's Eloquence re-issue of Sinopoli's Mahler. Add to that three anniversary sets from DG and EMI with different conductors... it would be possible to go one, but boring.

[madaboutmahler]

Is the Naxos Mahler box -



- worth the $30 MDT is asking for it? Of course, there are several other Mahler boxes in the $30 range, like Bertini's and Levine's...

Certainly a good box set. Obviously not quite comparing to the greats of Bernstein, Solti, Chailly, Rattle etc (a few of my favourites), but some very interesting performances, especially Wit's very different approach to no.5. Maybe buy particular ones seperately.

[DavidRoss]

Bernstein's New York Cycle, even in the beautiful Carnegie Hall edition, is less expensive at $50 and the DG cycle in its latest issue costs less than $40.

Run, don't walk!

[Lethevich]

[asin]B002NFECKY[/asin]

I really like them. The negative comments they draw tend to be along the lines of the listener finding them boring, and they do have a certain similarity of sound and a lack of melodic qualities, but I like how densely written they are and once you get into the soundworld there is a lot of invention going on. Do you know any of Robert Simpson's quartets? They're a little bit like that. A bit more abstract, and less consciously Bartókian.

[jlaurson]

.
[asin]B002NFECKY[/asin]

Like string quartets? Like consonant contemporary music? Not scared easily? Absolutely do get! Terrific stuff, in my opinion. Individual releases have made it on my best-of-year list on one or two occasions.

[Mandryka]

Mozart Wind Serenades, Scherchen



What's the sound quality like?

[mc ukrneal]

Anyone familiar with either of these by Oscar Straus?

[Mirror Image]

Anyone familiar with either of these by Oscar Straus?

No, but judging from the titles of these works, it sounds like a snoozefest.

[mc ukrneal]

Anyone familiar with either of these by Oscar Straus?

Anyone who has actually heard the music have anything to say about it?

[kishnevi]

Anyone who has actually heard the music have anything to say about it?

I have never heard of either one, much less heard the music,  but the second is actually an adaptation of a play by George Bernard Shaw (Arms and the Man) (Wikipedia is good!) so it may have more dramatic heft than most operettas.   As for the first, any satire of Wagner certainly has potential....

[jlaurson]

Anyone who has actually heard the music have anything to say about it?

Not these two recordings, but generally I find O.Straus to be... well... like the Germanic version of lesser Zarazuela. One *really* has to like the light, frivolous operetta stuff.

[The new erato]

   As for the first, any satire of Wagner certainly has potential....

I would rather say; few things are so in dire need of satire, as Wagner.

[Cascade]

For the piano concerto mainly. Do you like it?

[madaboutmahler]

After being excited by Tilson Thomas' Proms performance of Mahler 7 with the San Francisco SO, I am looking into his Mahler recordings, especially of no.7.

Would you recommend
[asin]B000B66OQM[/asin]

Also, what is Tilson Thomas' recording of the 9th like?
This cycle has very mixed reviews so I am not quite sure who to believe!

[jlaurson]

After being excited by Tilson Thomas' Proms performance of Mahler 7 with the San Francisco SO, I am looking into his Mahler recordings, especially of no.7.

Would you recommend
[asin]B000B66OQM[/asin]

Also, what is Tilson Thomas' recording of the 9th like?
This cycle has very mixed reviews so I am not quite sure who to believe!

In short: MTT's London 7th is to be preferred... the SFO-7th just doesn't really get there.
The Ninth, however, is magnificent... MTT pulls my favorite last movement of the 9th on record.



G. Mahler
Symphony No.7
MTT / LSO
RCA


MTT M7: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/12/eine-riesengrosse-nachtmusik-mtt.html
MTT M9: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/05/mtt-in-mahlers-9th.html

M7: http://www.weta.org/oldfmblog/?p=1351
M9: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/07/gustav-mahler-symphony-no9-part-2.html

[madaboutmahler]

In short: MTT's London 7th is to be preferred... the SFO-7th just doesn't really get there.
The Ninth, however, is magnificent... MTT pulls my favorite last movement of the 9th on record.

Thanks for getting back to me on this Jens! Yes, I was wondering which would be better, the LSO or the SFO! The SFO sounded so amazing in their Proms performance though, which I have been listening to on youtube.

[DavidRoss]

And though Jens and I agree on many things, we don't agree on the MTT/SFS 7th.  I like it very much, better than the LSO one.  But then I like MTT's approach to Mahler, more sensual than ironically detached, luxuriating in the sheer orchestral splendor and lovely sounds, and (I think) fully inhabiting Mahler's emotional world as an insider looking out rather than an outsider trying to peer in.

[madaboutmahler]

And though Jens and I agree on many things, we don't agree on the MTT/SFS 7th.  I like it very much, better than the LSO one.  But then I like MTT's approach to Mahler, more sensual than ironically detached, luxuriating in the sheer orchestral splendor and lovely sounds, and (I think) fully inhabiting Mahler's emotional world as an insider looking out rather than an outsider trying to peer in.

What an excellent post David - thank you for getting back to me on that.
hmmm.... maybe I'll have to create a GMG poll as the deciding factor