A Difference of Opinion

[Roasted Swan]

An unfortunate case of murder by the orchestra on that one, with the exception of the strings which are magnificent. Farberman's readings are really interesting though, that take on the Scherzo remains one of the most striking movements of Mahler I've ever heard.

I have this recording which turned up in this naff-looking download collection;



its there with the rest of Faberman's Mahler plus the fine Ludwig/LSO Mahler 9 (ex-Everest I think?) and some Horenstein/Vox song cycles.  Low MP3 bit rates but good enough to get a reasonable idea of what's what.  Haven't listened to the 6 in ages so I am now suitably prompted.....

[Vox Maris]

Apart from anything else - the Ozawa/VPO is tricky to find!  If you are intending to introduce readers to repertoire and "best" versions, then its probably a good idea if that performance is currently available..  I also feel that the "one to avoid" feature singles out - often unfairly - a performance that simply does not chime with the reviewer's taste.

The Ozawa/Wiener is difficult to find, but can be found second-hand, although I think there's been a Japanese reissue of it (w/ the Decca logo) that is readily available. But, yes, when making such a proclamation as "the best ever", it might be a good idea that the recording is still in-print. Otherwise, you've just sent someone on a wild goose chase to find the recording.

[André]

I have this recording which turned up in this naff-looking download collection;



its there with the rest of Faberman's Mahler plus the fine Ludwig/LSO Mahler 9 (ex-Everest I think?) and some Horenstein/Vox song cycles.  Low MP3 bit rates but good enough to get a reasonable idea of what's what.  Haven't listened to the 6 in ages so I am now suitably prompted.....

I love Farberman's decadent Mahler. His 6th reminds me of El Greco's painting of the Laocoon: dark, powerful, with a sense of immense struggle that can only end badly.

Kudios to Ludwig's M9: another forgotten/ignored gem of the Mahler discography.

[Roasted Swan]

The Ozawa/Wiener is difficult to find, but can be found second-hand, although I think there's been a Japanese reissue of it (w/ the Decca logo) that is readily available. But, yes, when making such a proclamation as "the best ever", it might be a good idea that the recording is still in-print. Otherwise, you've just sent someone on a wild goose chase to find the recording.

but at quite a price - certainly more than I am willing to pay just out of curiosity - especially since I have several (many!) versions that I already like a lot.....

[Vox Maris]

but at quite a price - certainly more than I am willing to pay just out of curiosity - especially since I have several (many!) versions that I already like a lot.....

On a similar topic, I picked up the new December issue of BBC Music Magazine and their 'Building A Library' feature was on Fauré's Requiem and they did the same thing again with their top pick, which was Nigel Short (w/ Tennebrae) on the LSO label and this recording is now difficult to track down. I mean, sure, you can buy it directly from the LSO online store, but it's difficult to find elsewhere for a decent price (or from a reputable seller). Perhaps I should write them a letter and tell them to stick to recordings that are easier to find. Of course, you can probably stream all of these recordings, but if someone wants to find the actual CD, then basically good luck in your search.

[Madiel]

Of course, you can probably stream all of these recordings

And these days, that will be their answer if you write them a letter. More and more people are using streaming, not only the casual listeners to classical but the aficionados (as demonstrated in this forum). So if you tell them that streamable recordings aren't acceptable to you, they'll think "but they're acceptable to most of our audience".

Ebay is still a pretty good place to find a lot of things.

EDIT: And crazily I still do need a Faure Requiem...

[Vox Maris]

And these days, that will be their answer if you write them a letter. More and more people are using streaming, not only the casual listeners to classical but the aficionados (as demonstrated in this forum). So if you tell them that streamable recordings aren't acceptable to you, they'll think "but they're acceptable to most of our audience".

Ebay is still a pretty good place to find a lot of things.

EDIT: And crazily I still do need a Faure Requiem...

Discogs and eBay (and Presto Classical and JPC for newer recordings) are my go-to online stores. Oh, I have no doubt I'd be given that kind of response from BBC Music Magazine had I questioned them. You don't own a recording of Fauré's Requiem? Wow...

[AnotherSpin]

On a similar topic, I picked up the new December issue of BBC Music Magazine and their 'Building A Library' feature was on Fauré's Requiem and they did the same thing again with their top pick, which was Nigel Short (w/ Tennebrae) on the LSO label and this recording is now difficult to track down. I mean, sure, you can buy it directly from the LSO online store, but it's difficult to find elsewhere for a decent price (or from a reputable seller). Perhaps I should write them a letter and tell them to stick to recordings that are easier to find. Of course, you can probably stream all of these recordings, but if someone wants to find the actual CD, then basically good luck in your search.

If we're talking about the CD format, this performance of Fauré's Requiem can be purchased on Amazon or, for example, on prestomusic in SACD format. This is what I found in just a few seconds. I'm sure that with a more detailed search, other options can be found as well. In any case, the search would take no more time than writing a post about the impossibility of finding a CD with this performance

[Vox Maris]

If we're talking about the CD format, this performance of Fauré's Requiem can be purchased on Amazon or, for example, on prestomusic in SACD format. This is what I found in just a few seconds. I'm sure that with a more detailed search, other options can be found as well. In any case, the search would take no more time than writing a post about the impossibility of finding a CD with this performance

Ah, but the finer details are what matter here. All of the sellers on Amazon US are not reliable and have a horrendous feedback rating or to put it another way: I wouldn't buy from them. On Presto Classical, the recording is there, but it has a 'Usually ships in 3-4 days' status, which means it's not in-stock, but also from past experience with them when a recording has this status, there's a high probability that they simply can't get the item and thus a refund is then issued, so...a waste of time. I've seen some copies on eBay, but again the feedback of many of these sellers is not up to my own standards. The only seller that actually has the item in-stock is the LSO online store and I'm certainly not going to buy it from them.

Anyway, my point is this CD isn't as easy to come by as one would think. Of course, someone could take a chance on one of these sellers with low feedback scores, but you risk not the getting the item because it has been suddenly "lost in the mail" or they simply don't have the item and after a week of waiting, they tell you it isn't in-stock. In other words, buy at your own risk.

I've dealt with online retailers like Amazon since 1999 and I've bought A LOT of CDs over the years, so I'm just speaking from my own experience.

[AnotherSpin]

Ah, but the finer details are what matter here. All of the sellers on Amazon US are not reliable and have a horrendous feedback rating or to put it another way: I wouldn't buy from them. On Presto Classical, the recording is there, but it has a 'Usually ships in 3-4 days' status, which means it's not in-stock, but also from past experience with them when a recording has this status, there's a high probability that they simply can't get the item and thus a refund is then issued, so...a waste of time. I've seen some copies on eBay, but again the feedback of many of these sellers is not up to my own standards. The only seller that actually has the item in-stock is the LSO online store and I'm certainly not going to buy it from them.

Anyway, my point is this CD isn't as easy to come by as one would think. Of course, someone could take a chance on one of these sellers with low feedback scores, but you risk not the getting the item because it has been suddenly "lost in the mail" or they simply don't have the item and after a week of waiting, they tell you it isn't in-stock. In other words, buy at your own risk.

I've dealt with online retailers like Amazon since 1999 and I've bought A LOT of CDs over the years, so I'm just speaking from my own experience.

Back when I was still buying CDs, I would find the editions I was interested in just about anywhere and almost always successfully received my orders. Considering that delivery was to Ukraine, which was never quick, I was probably just determined to succeed, and the power of positive intention did the trick. They call it "sankalpa" in India

[Madiel]

Presto will at least try, and give you proper information.

The surest possible way to fail to acquire the CD is to not try any channel at all.

Same with any purchase. I mean, there are some things in my collection where I feel like I might have hunted down the last available copy. And some things I paid a bit more for than I would have liked (without ever paying hundreds like some algorithms ask you to). Heck, there's one Holmboe disc that became a mini quest as I travelled through Denmark, before meeting one of the actual musicians outside the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen and finding out he was one of Holmboe's students.

The question is how much one wants it. There's not an absolute guarantee of success, but I too have a lot of experience of buying CDs, and the key ingredient in acquiring a CD is actually doing something.

[AnotherSpin]

Aah - didn't think to look there - I don't stream...

By the way, Qobuz also has a performance of Eine Alpensinfonie conducted by Ozawa, but this time with the Berlin Philharmonic, recorded live two months after the recording with the Vienna Philharmonic.

[ChamberNut]

On Presto Classical, the recording is there, but it has a 'Usually ships in 3-4 days' status, which means it's not in-stock, but also from past experience with them when a recording has this status, there's a high probability that they simply can't get the item and thus a refund is then issued, so...a waste of time.

My experience hasn't been this with Presto (and I have purchased a lot from them too). Only one recording with that 3-4 days status never was sent and truly was unavailable. Perhaps I've just had better fortune in this regard.