Mahler 6 Blind Comparison: Impressions and Votes

Started by madaboutmahler, April 12, 2012, 03:33:12 AM

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madaboutmahler

Quote from: Papy Oli on April 21, 2012, 11:31:03 AM
you've got two B5 there... you want it to go through, do you ??  :P

in preferred order  : B5 / B1 / B6 / B4 / B7

bugger...  :-[ ;D

saying that, the performance displayed on my link is not the same as the one Zauberflote mentioned in his earlier post  on group B...go figure....

go on then  :D

ooops  :-[ haha  ;D
Ok, thank you. Shall record that vote.

Hmmm.... confusing!!!!

Ok, will send you the Group A link in the upcoming minutes!
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

classicalgeek

OK, after an initial listen (and a couple of second listenings):

1. B5 (best of the bunch to my ears - very nice interpretation, and beautiful orchestral playing)
2. B7 (a bit on the quick side, but I like that!)
3. B1 (nice all-around performance, well-played, middle-of-the-road tempo-wise)
4. B3 (another fast one - I'd describe it as 'stern' or 'grim', not out of place for Mahler 6!)
5. B4 (the slowest of the lot, but it works.  I especially liked how the timpani 'motto' was done here.)

missing the cut:
6. B8 (another quickish one, almost rushed at points.  Gripping but raw orchestral playing.  Not bad, but not in the top five.)
7. B6 (seems like a routine run-through to me.  Nothing special about it.)
8. B2 (another one with a less-than-perfect orchestra, but without the excitement that redeems B8.)
So much great music, so little time...

Original compositions and orchestrations: https://www.youtube.com/@jmbrannigan

madaboutmahler

Thank you for your vote, some very interesting points... :D
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

zauberflöte

C-4. It's explosive!  :D

Sorry. Demolitions joke. Couldn't help myself. But of all the selections in the C grouping, C4 easily wins in that regard. Most dynamic of all the marches I've heard in either the B or C groups. Good build up in the Alma section. I could have used a touch more lingering but the conductor does slow down at the last minute. I would have my doubts about the other movements in this conductor's hands but I'd like to hear them.

C7 was also excellent, possibly the best all around.

Another top choice is C1. I love the way the conductor brings out the horns. Best Alma section

The rest sort of blended together for me. There was only one performance I didn't care for, C5. It seemed disjointed and uninspired, even though it sounded like the conductor was trying for  things. They didn't work for me. Muffled timpani. Old recording?   Now watch, it'll be one of my favorite conductors.

I can't go 1 2 3 on this one.

It would be C4 for the opening march and transition section, C1 for Alma (since I like that section the best that might make C1 the keeper) and C7 for a happy median.

One thing I've learned through all this is I don't seem to like the slower versions and that surprises me because I have always been fond of the Barbirolli though I haven't heard it in years. I wonder if any of slow ones in the B or C groups IS the Barbirolli.

I could listen to more, though I'm driving my wife insane playing these over and over.

madaboutmahler

Quote from: zauberflote on April 25, 2012, 02:13:49 PM
C-4. It's explosive!  :D

Sorry. Demolitions joke. Couldn't help myself. But of all the selections in the C grouping, C4 easily wins in that regard. Most dynamic of all the marches I've heard in either the B or C groups. Good build up in the Alma section. I could have used a touch more lingering but the conductor does slow down at the last minute. I would have my doubts about the other movements in this conductor's hands but I'd like to hear them.

C7 was also excellent, possibly the best all around.

Another top choice is C1. I love the way the conductor brings out the horns. Best Alma section

The rest sort of blended together for me. There was only one performance I didn't care for, C5. It seemed disjointed and uninspired, even though it sounded like the conductor was trying for  things. They didn't work for me. Muffled timpani. Old recording?   Now watch, it'll be one of my favorite conductors.

I can't go 1 2 3 on this one.

It would be C4 for the opening march and transition section, C1 for Alma (since I like that section the best that might make C1 the keeper) and C7 for a happy median.

One thing I've learned through all this is I don't seem to like the slower versions and that surprises me because I have always been fond of the Barbirolli though I haven't heard it in years. I wonder if any of slow ones in the B or C groups IS the Barbirolli.

I could listen to more, though I'm driving my wife insane playing these over and over.
Thank you for your vote. So, should I take C4 as your 1st vote, C1 as 2nd and C7 as third? And could you possibly give a fourth and fifth so I can take your top five! Thank you again for doing two groups, haha - I suppose listening to the Alma Theme in countless numbers of times would have various effects on different people! I know what it does to me... :D

Not long now until the results for Part 1 will be revealed... just waiting for a vote from quite a few people! You still have until Monday, and if you need extra time, please let me know!

"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

J.Z. Herrenberg

Daniel, I'd like to do another comparison (B or C). I can squeeze it in during the coming weekend. It's fun.
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. -- Plato

zauberflöte

Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 25, 2012, 02:21:33 PM
Thank you for your vote. So, should I take C4 as your 1st vote, C1 as 2nd and C7 as third? And could you possibly give a fourth and fifth so I can take your top five! Thank you again for doing two groups, haha - I suppose listening to the Alma Theme in countless numbers of times would have various effects on different people! I know what it does to me... :D

Not long now until the results for Part 1 will be revealed... just waiting for a vote from quite a few people! You still have until Monday, and if you need extra time, please let me know!

I guess so. Not sure I could live with C4 over the long haul but it was the one that made me stand up and take notice.
So, C4, C1, C7.

Remaining two are interchangeable. But I'll go with C2 and C3. They reach what I call the Abbado Plateau. Critics like Claudio Abbado's Mahler. To me Abbado is well recorded with a great orchestra but only serviceable performances. But I did hear a live Mahler Ninth from him that was excellent.
Eagerly await the tabulations

madaboutmahler

Quote from: J.Z. Herrenberg on April 25, 2012, 02:28:21 PM
Daniel, I'd like to do another comparison (B or C). I can squeeze it in during the coming weekend. It's fun.

Great! Shall send along the link to Group C in a moment!

Quote from: zauberflote on April 25, 2012, 05:52:06 PM
I guess so. Not sure I could live with C4 over the long haul but it was the one that made me stand up and take notice.
So, C4, C1, C7.

Remaining two are interchangeable. But I'll go with C2 and C3. They reach what I call the Abbado Plateau. Critics like Claudio Abbado's Mahler. To me Abbado is well recorded with a great orchestra but only serviceable performances. But I did hear a live Mahler Ninth from him that was excellent.
Eagerly await the tabulations

Ok, thank you! :)
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

DavidW

Group B:

Top five in order of preference:
B5, B1, B4, B7, B6

Impressions:
B1: fast, intense I love it!
B2: too slow and heavy
B3: too fast and superficial
B4: slow, but unlike B2 has a great sense of drama and urgency
B5: very balanced, excellent
B6: similar to 5, but not quite playing together all of the time
B7: this was sounds a little staccato and brusque
B8: rushed, superficial even more so than B3 it is my least favorite

DavidW

Ha!  I can't believe how close my impressions were to Papy Oli's! :D

I am really curious about who those performers are.  Daniel, are you going to do what Discobole did and reveal the losers before the final round?

TimH

Group C

A very challenging but enjoyable task!

My order is:

1 - C2
2 - C7
3 - C3
4 - C6
5 - C8
-------
6 - C4
7 - C1
8 - C5

.... but on another day and if arranged in a different order, might reach different conclusions.

Brief comments on each one:

C2 - Took a short while to get used to the sound - rather distant with a few crackles - but with the volume up it sounds bright and clear - and in fact very thrilling and characterful with well shaped wind phrasing. Massive Alma climax.

C7 - Strong pulsating tempo, builds tension, great Horns and great Alma climax.

C3 - A touch slow and deliberate, but nonetheless epic and spacious, but Alma climax seems a bit rushed and disjointed.

C6 - Refined but maybe too measured and reserved.

C8 - Rushes and seems lacking in shape - not very memorable.

C4 - Too fast - runs away, rather brash and superficial

C1 - Slow, ponderous, lacking momentum or excitement

C5 - Very very slow, sound distorted, seems ragged and lacks finesse - sometimes almost a parody - worst by far!

I look forward to looking at everyone's comments - can't wait to find out who we have been listening to and who is the overall winner.

fridden

This is my top 5 from group B

B2 - I liked the drama in this one, with good contrast between sections.
B1 - A bit raw sounding with nice bite in the march, also with nice contrasts between sections.
B5 - Also a dramatic reading in big sound.
B7 - I like the reading, if the sound was better it would have been even better.
B4 - Very slow, almost too slow. But it really gives the march a dark and ominous tone.

B8 - Not bad, but the march feels a little too rushed.
B3 - Another one too fast for me.
B6 - To straightforward for me. The sound isnt helping.


madaboutmahler

Thank you for all the votes. Just waiting for a few more now, you have until Monday! (please let me know if you need extra time)

Quote from: DavidW on April 26, 2012, 08:00:49 PM
Ha!  I can't believe how close my impressions were to Papy Oli's! :D

I am really curious about who those performers are.  Daniel, are you going to do what Discobole did and reveal the losers before the final round?

Yes, all the losers will be revealed before the start of the next round. Hopefully, I will be able to reveal them on Monday evening, if everyone manages to vote in time. :) And then we can move directly onto Part 2, which will narrow the recordings down to the final 5.

Glad to see you are all enjoying it!
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

J.Z. Herrenberg

#33
OK, here is my verdict on Group C's contenders (and I didn't look how the others voted):


1. C3 Emphatic, well-played, second theme has the requisite 'Schwung'. You get a clear sense of purpose.


2. C1 I know this performance. It was the first Sixth I ever heard, and I still think it holds up well. The orchestra is excellent and the conductor's approach is no-nonsense but urgent.


3. C5 First theme - very slow and heavy. Second theme - impetuous. I think it's a Russian performance, and I like it a lot.


4. C2 Well-balanced performance.


5. C4 Very urgent and vigorous, but still can take the time if it wants to (Gergiev?)
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. -- Plato

madaboutmahler

Thank you for your vote, Johan, and also for doing two groups! :)

Just over one more day left to vote... then, Part 1 results revealed!
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy"
— Ludwig van Beethoven

zamyrabyrd

#35
It was really hard to decide but my top preference for B is B5, seems to be all around balanced not ignoring the sinister aspect. B2 is the 2nd on my list, with its darker tones and somewhat featuring the percussion more. B3 is 3rd, the orchestral contrasts being very marked, not to mention the surprising solo trumpet that one doesn't necessarily hear in the others. B1 is good, sharp but maybe a little too cheerful rather than ironic. B4 is slower, more weighted, so that is my no.5.
The remaining 3 (6,7, 8 ) in my opinion, don't mine the piece for detail and expression as well as the first five.

ZB
PS Can you send the link to C? Thanks.
"Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, one by one."

― Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Lisztianwagner

Such a great fun to listen to so many different version of Mahler No.6, one of my favourite pieces of all time! :D

1. C7: Very beautiful performance. The first melody, very thrilling and impressive, bursts out with incredible energy on a powerful, intense movement of march, wonderfully played. Excellent phrasing among the sections, the tempo chosen was brilliant and gave great strenght to the piece. Amazing pianissimo of the woowinds onthe pizzicato of the strings, very melodious and suggestive. The second melody (Alma Theme) was incredibly passionate and lyrical, very romantic.
2. C2: Brilliant and powerful. The march was very energetic and rich of expressive strenght, whereas the Alma Theme was bright and vibrant, showing great beauty and passion. Very good tempo, maybe slightly slow at the beginning of the Alma Theme.
3. C1: A bit too slow rythm in the march, which sounded very strong, intense and energetic anyway; it worked better in the second melody, which was very beautiful and vital. Brilliant pianissimo between the first and the second melody, quite expressive and well played.
4. C6: Very enjoyable perfomance in the march, powerful and intense enough. Brilliant choice of tempo and impressive, melodious pianissimo. I appreciated the Alma Theme, which was passionate and moving.
5. C8: Energetic, strong march, wich anyway lacked some power because of slightly too fast rythm; instead the Alma Theme was very brilliant and romantic.

6. C3: Rather beautiful, powerful and enphatic, the orchestra was very well balanced, with a good sound quality. It sounded lacking energy in some points of the march though.
7. C4: Enjoyable, but the tempi weren't very good, too fast or too slow; the rythm instead was brilliant at the beginning of the Alma Theme.
8. C8: Not bad, but not well-balanced orchestra, the instruments often sounded playing out of tune and coming too early. Some variations on the intesity of the sound were perceived.
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Sergeant Rock

Unless someone can think of a way to work around this, it looks like I won't be able to participate:




Sarge
the phone rings and somebody says,
"hey, they made a movie about
Mahler, you ought to go see it.
he was as f*cked-up as you are."
                               --Charles Bukowski, "Mahler"

jlaurson

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 30, 2012, 03:42:47 AM
Unless someone can think of a way to work around this, it looks like I won't be able to participate:


Sarge

At least that's a good hint which recording it might be.

DavidRoss

Hmmm...looks as if this could be an interesting exercise, at least for those with time to participate -- and access to the blind files.  Where are they?
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher