What is the purpose?

[dylanesque]

Hi All,
Another newbie question . Recently I purchased Mahler 2nd Symphony on ITunes . I noticed on some recordings the 5 movements split into several small sections of play . I purchased Boulez studio version which is just divided into the plain 5 movements. How is dividing each movement into say 12 pieces or tracks helpful for the listener? Especially say on IPod when you don't get any information on the various pieces?
Regards Darren

[North Star]

Hi All,
Another newbie question . Recently I purchased Mahler 2nd Symphony on ITunes . I noticed on some recordings the 5 movements split into several small sections of play . I purchased Boulez studio version which is just divided into the plain 5 movements. How is dividing each movement into say 12 pieces or tracks helpful for the listener? Especially say on IPod when you don't get any information on the various pieces?
Regards Darren

There may be smaller sections in the movements, dividing them might help iTunes and others make more money , and it can help following the music - if there are, e.g. bar numbers or tempo markings (from the score) in the track info. I think only the 5th movement of Mahler's 2nd is split into several tracks. Its length, about 30 minutes, and episodic nature are obvious reasons for the splitting. Another classic case of splitting a movement is Beethoven's 9th symphony's last movement, also with the chorus and soloists, and distinguishable episodes.
It's certainly handy on the computer since there is more space for writing the tempo markings on the track title . On a portable player with no/small screen, not so much, and it's not good for shuffling, either.

[Opus106]

Another classic case of splitting a movement is Beethoven's 9th symphony's last movement, also with the chorus and soloists, and distinguishable episodes.

Maybe, but certainly not disjointed. Sometimes it can be irritating to have that momentary gap (even a fraction of second) between tracks.

[North Star]

Maybe, but certainly not disjointed. Sometimes it can be irritating to have that momentary gap (even a fraction of second) between tracks.

Absolutely, Nav!

[dylanesque]

There may be smaller sections in the movements, dividing them might help iTunes and others make more money , and it can help following the music - if there are, e.g. bar numbers or tempo markings (from the score) in the track info. I think only the 5th movement of Mahler's 2nd is split into several tracks. Its length, about 30 minutes, and episodic nature are obvious reasons for the splitting. Another classic case of splitting a movement is Beethoven's 9th symphony's last movement, also with the chorus and soloists, and distinguishable episodes.
It's certainly handy on the computer since there is more space for writing the tempo markings on the track title . On a portable player with no/small screen, not so much, and it's not good for shuffling, either.

Many thanks for the reply. Worked out that if you bought all 8 parts of the 1st Movement of Mahlers 9th it's 6.39 and the whole set is 7.99 ! Talk about a money maker:)

[Papy Oli]

There may be smaller sections in the movements, dividing them might help iTunes and others make more money , and it can help following the music - if there are, e.g. bar numbers or tempo markings (from the score) in the track info. I think only the 5th movement of Mahler's 2nd is split into several tracks. Its length, about 30 minutes, and episodic nature are obvious reasons for the splitting.

The Kaplan/VPO Mahler 2 is in that split format by bar chunks, from memory, probably around 40-odd tracks in total for the whole symphony, which relate to detailed comments/explanations on each section made by Kaplan in the booklet. I wouldn't like all my M2's to be like that but that's handy to at least have one in this respect.

Again, from memory, I can't think of any other in that format among my 30+ versions of the M2 - they all pretty much stick to the 5-6 tracks format.

[Papy Oli]

Maybe, but certainly not disjointed. Sometimes it can be irritating to have that momentary gap (even a fraction of second) between tracks.

Yep, that's the downside... that's why I never have that Kaplan on my MP3 player (no gapless play on it) 

[Gurn Blanston]

Many thanks for the reply. Worked out that if you bought all 8 parts of the 1st Movement of Mahlers 9th it's 6.39 and the whole set is 7.99 ! Talk about a money maker:)

As a collector of Beethoven 9th's, I run into that a lot. When I rip for my players, I set my ripper (dBpoweramp) to rip all the 'splinters' as one track. That way I avoid the gaps between movements. If you bought the tracks as downloads, you can get a program called 'Audacity' (freeware) and use it to combine all the splinters into 1 track. I won't lie and say that there isn't a learning curve involved in using this software, but it ain't rocket science; witness the fact that I can do it...

[dylanesque]

The Kaplan/VPO Mahler 2 is in that split format by bar chunks, from memory, probably around 40-odd tracks in total for the whole symphony, which relate to detailed comments/explanations on each section made by Kaplan in the booklet. I wouldn't like all my M2's to be like that but that's handy to at least have one in this respect.

Again, from memory, I can't think of any other in that format among my 30+ versions of the M2 - they all pretty much stick to the 5-6 tracks format.

Wow 30 + versions . It is Kaplan I looked at as Sarge recommended , I ended up purchasing Boulez as it was nearly half the price.

[Opus106]

Wow 30 + versions .

Welcome to GMG.


P.S.: Gurn above has 90+ (or 100+?) versions of Beethoven's 9th.

[dylanesque]

Welcome to GMG.


P.S.: Gurn above has 90+ (or 100+?) versions of Beethoven's 9th.

Many thanks,
Do you think if I blindfolded them they would recognise who the Conductor is from randomly selected pieces out of the 90 ?

[Gurn Blanston]

Many thanks,
Do you think if I blindfolded them they would recognise who the Conductor is from randomly selected pieces out of the 90 ?

Sarge probably would. Not me though. I tend to recognize the bass/baritone's voice the best. That's what makes or breaks a 9th.

[mc ukrneal]

Many thanks,
Do you think if I blindfolded them they would recognise who the Conductor is from randomly selected pieces out of the 90 ?

I think you would be surprised by how many they get right.

[Opus106]

Many thanks,
Do you think if I blindfolded them they would recognise who the Conductor is from randomly selected pieces out of the 90 ?

It's been happening already, in a non-rigorous sort of way. Check out, and participate if you like, in the Blind Comparison threads in the Recordings section.

[dylanesque]

Sarge probably would. Not me though. I tend to recognize the bass/baritone's voice the best. That's what makes or breaks a 9th.

Nah I'm sure you're probably being too modest.For some reason I bought an ancient Furtwangler version and love it so much struggle when I hear others .

[dylanesque]

It's been happening already, in a non-rigorous sort of way. Check out, and participate if you like, in the Blind Comparison threads in the Recordings section.

I have seen them threads and will participate when I'm a little more confident