Blind Comparison: Mahler Symphony no.1

[Sergeant Rock]

Off the top of my head I can think of more than half a dozen that are all equally wonderful to my ears. Poor Sarge must be paralyzed by the prospect of choosing among the discs spilling from his shelves!

I have thirty Mahler Firsts...but, I could have stopped with the first I bought (Horenstein/LSO) because, even after forty years, it's still my favorite version. But I like others, too, of course. In order of preference, my Top 10 is something like this:

Horenstein/LSO
Honeck/Pittsburgh
Maazel/Vienna
Ozawa/Boston
Suitner/Dresden
Levi/Atlanta
Rattle/CBSO
Chailly/Concertgebow
Tennstedt/LPO
Bernstein/Concertgebouw


I wonder how many of my choices will make the final round? If past comparisons are any indication, not a single one 

Sarge

[DavidRoss]

I have thirty Mahler Firsts...but, I could have stopped with the first I bought (Horenstein/LSO) because, even after forty years, it's still my favorite version.

My first one was Walter and I still like it, but there are probably others I would save first in event of catastrophe. Here, not in any order, are the ten best loved around Casa de Dave:

Bernstein/RCO, MTT/SFS, Walter/Columbia, Gielen/SWRSOBB&F, Boulez/CSO, Kubelik/BRSO, Barbirolli/Hallé, Suitner/SKD, with Honeck/Pittsburg as the new hottie and high hopes for the just-acquired Fischer/BFO! Hmmm, donno why Sinopoli's not on that list; maybe overdue for a listen?

[mc ukrneal]

My first one was Walter and I still like it, but there are probably others I would save first in event of catastrophe. Here, not in any order, are the ten best loved around Casa de Dave:

Bernstein/RCO, MTT/SFS, Walter/Columbia, Gielen/SWRSOBB&F, Boulez/CSO, Kubelik/BRSO, Barbirolli/Hallé, Suitner/SKD, with Honeck/Pittsburg as the new hottie and high hopes for the just-acquired Fischer/BFO! Hmmm, donno why Sinopoli's not on that list; maybe overdue for a listen?

I have thirty Mahler Firsts...but, I could have stopped with the first I bought (Horenstein/LSO) because, even after forty years, it's still my favorite version. But I like others, too, of course. In order of preference, my Top 10 is something like this:

Horenstein/LSO
Honeck/Pittsburgh
Maazel/Vienna
Ozawa/Boston
Suitner/Dresden
Levi/Atlanta
Rattle/CBSO
Chailly/Concertgebow
Tennstedt/LPO
Bernstein/Concertgebouw


I wonder how many of my choices will make the final round? If past comparisons are any indication, not a single one 

Sarge

This is what we call frustration for someone wanting to choose a version. You guys name 10 each, but only overlap on two versions (Suiter and Honeck). I'msure you'll tell me I just need to get them all to decide for myself or something like that! 

[Sergeant Rock]

My first one was Walter and I still like it, but there are probably others I would save first in event of catastrophe. Here, not in any order, are the ten best loved around Casa de Dave:

Bernstein/RCO, MTT/SFS, Walter/Columbia, Gielen/SWRSOBB&F, Boulez/CSO, Kubelik/BRSO, Barbirolli/Hallé, Suitner/SKD, with Honeck/Pittsburg as the new hottie and high hopes for the just-acquired Fischer/BFO! Hmmm, donno why Sinopoli's not on that list; maybe overdue for a listen?

I actually relistened to Sinopoli today. It's a great one too, but let down by some very odd intrumental balances (although that's pretty much par for the Sinopoli course, and one of the reasons I usually love him).

Looking over my own list, the absence of Boulez, Gielen and Kubelik (especially Kubelik) is striking...but there it is. (And yes, I own them all including both Kubelik DG and Audite.)

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

This is what we call frustration for someone wanting to choose a version. You guys name 10 each, but only overlap on two versions (Suiter and Honeck). I'msure you'll tell me I just need to get them all to decide for myself or something like that! 

Nah, just get Horenstein and Honeck (the two H's...okay, that doesn't sound so great    ) and be happy 

Sarge

[DavidRoss]

This is what we call frustration for someone wanting to choose a version. You guys name 10 each, but only overlap on two versions (Suiter and Honeck). I'msure you'll tell me I just need to get them all to decide for myself or something like that! 

Ha! And our tastes are not nearly as dissimilar as some others here! BTW, Sarge & I also agree on Bernstein/RCO--that's as close to universally admired as they get and for good reason.

If I had to pick just three it would be MTT, Boulez, and Barbirolli ... and maybe Honeck if it holds up as well over time! And I'm not saying those are the greatest of all time, but rather that they continue to speak to me in different ways and are more consistently satisfying than the rest. I can't recall a time I've started listening to one of them and then decided I'd rather hear another performance instead.

[Sergeant Rock]

Ha! And our tastes are not nearly as dissimilar as some others here! BTW, Sarge & I also agree on Bernstein/RCO...If I had to pick just three it would be MTT, Boulez, and Barbirolli ...

And I don't own MTT or Barbirolli. Who knows, if I did hear those two, they might leap to the top of the pile. In any case, this comparison should give Neal an idea where his ideal M1 lies.

Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of the first round.

[DavidRoss]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of the first round.

Yep. Even though only half of them will be identified, I'd still like to know what we listened to. I wonder if my "Yeah, I always knew that was dreck," reactions will outnumber the "No effin' way! How could they not love that one!" reactions.

[mc ukrneal]

And I don't own MTT or Barbirolli. Who knows, if I did hear those two, they might leap to the top of the pile. In any case, this comparison should give Neal an idea where his ideal M1 lies.

Sarge

That's my hope (because, I'm not forking over the dough for more than one more version). FYI - I do have Horenstein (with the flower cover). I picked it up as a throw in at Berkshire.

[madaboutmahler]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of the first round.

Hoping to post the results for the first round and send out the links for Round 2 tommorow evening.
Currently listening to the final 12 in the trio to mid-3rd movement, you've certainly voted for a great selection for Round 2! Going to be very exciting!

[Lisztianwagner]

Hoping to post the results for the first round and send out the links for Round 2 tommorow evening.
Currently listening to the final 12 in the trio to mid-3rd movement, you've certainly voted for a great selection for Round 2! Going to be very exciting!

Wonderful, I've already rubbed my hands! Thanks for your efforts, Daniel.
Does that mean Round 2 only includes an excerpt from the third movement? Pity, I absolutely love the Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell......

[madaboutmahler]

Wonderful, I've already rubbed my hands! Thanks for your efforts, Daniel.
Does that mean Round 2 only includes an excerpt from the third movement? Pity, I absolutely love the Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell......

My pleasure! Glad you are enjoying it, Ilaria!
No, don't worry, in Round 2 we'll be comparing excerpts from both of the inner movements. We'll start with the trio of the second movement, and go straight on to 3rd movement until around halfway through that movement.

[Lisztianwagner]

My pleasure! Glad you are enjoying it, Ilaria!
No, don't worry, in Round 2 we'll be comparing excerpts from both of the inner movements. We'll start with the trio of the second movement, and go straight on to 3rd movement until around halfway through that movement.

How couldn't I enjoy Mahler's music? Really glad to hear there will be the second movement as well!

[Brian]

C8 is the only one that could do no wrong. Especially loved the horns (vulgar when they needed to be) and a great walloping bass drum to launch the burst into Spring.

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

Sarge

Wow, Sarge, you and I were all over the place comparing our rankings! Your top choice I loved, your second choice I hated, and my two favorites you put smack in the middle.

[mahler10th]

I am not long home and will check all this out in the morning.

Oh!  I thought the results were in!

[madaboutmahler]

Oh!  I thought the results were in!

Sorry, John! Just starting to write them now.

[johndoe21ro]

C'mon, c'mon... 
People are dying here!

[madaboutmahler]

Almost ready to post the results!

[madaboutmahler]

Just writing up the last 3 now, will hopefully post in 10 minutes.