Landmark recordings of all five movements of Mahler 10

[Mandryka]

I really know nothing about Mahler, but having just listened to Joel Gamzou's commercial recording I thought it could be interesting to hear a few alternatives. Over to you to make suggestions.

[brewski]

You might check out Rattle's versions, first with Bournemouth and then with Berlin. Both have their virtues.

[JBS]

Best standalone recording of the first movement only is imo Gergiev/LSO.
Two recordings to avoid are Slatkin and Zinman.  The reconstructions/orchestrations they use just don't work.

[AnotherSpin]

The first complete performance of the Tenth I heard, over twenty years ago now, was with Rattle, and I recall being very taken with it. I've heard others since, but they didn't leave the same impression. Perhaps it's simply that my interest in Mahler has all but ebbed away over the years.

[Cato]

The first complete performance of the Tenth I heard, over twenty years ago now, was with Rattle, and I recall being very taken with it. I've heard others since, but they didn't leave the same impression. Perhaps it's simply that my interest in Mahler has all but ebbed away over the years.

That is a good one, but let me recommend a classic:

[AnotherSpin]

On taking a more serious look into the question of which versions of the Tenth might be of interest, I can still add a few: Dausgaard/Seattle, Chailly/RS Berlin, Vänskä/Minnesota.

[Daverz]

Kurt Sanderling on Berlin Classics:

[DavidW]

Vanska, Chailly, and Rattle (Berlin, even though the earlier one was my introduction) are my favorites.

[Mandryka]

Can I focus the discussion a bit - having spent a bit of time sampling these recordings?

Who does the best final movement? I want a finale as impressive as the opening adagio.

[Mandryka]

Slatkin - very good last movement.

[Cato]

Can I focus the discussion a bit - having spent a bit of time sampling these recordings?

Who does the best final movement? I want a finale as impressive as the opening adagio.

Again, try the Wyn Morris performance mentioned above, but, to be sure, Chailly, Rattle, and the Ormandy (using an earlier Deryk Cooke version) are all excellent.

[AnotherSpin]

Can I focus the discussion a bit - having spent a bit of time sampling these recordings?

Who does the best final movement? I want a finale as impressive as the opening adagio.

A certain difficulty presents itself here: among some performers, and among Mahler's devotees, impressiveness is too often confused with exaggeration

[Mandryka]

A certain difficulty presents itself here: among some performers, and among Mahler's devotees, impressiveness is too often confused with exaggeration

Absolutely. That's what I felt about Rattle/Birmingham

[AnotherSpin]

Absolutely. That's what I felt about Rattle/Birmingham

Good to know, couple of times I almost felt like refreshing that old impression...

These days, life throws in enough unexpected loud noises even without Mahler, so I stick to something calmer and more soothing.

[Mandryka]

Slatkin is very good precisely because it's understated. A final movement worthy of the first, not the slightest hint of film music or bombs, very ascetic and interior.

It's not by Cooke. Maybe Cooke's the problem.

[JBS]

Slatkin is very good precisely because it's understated. A final movement worthy of the first, not the slightest hint of film music or bombs, very ascetic and interior.

It's not by Cooke. Maybe Cooke's the problem.

This one, correct?

It almost makes the final movement into a timpani concerto. Mazzoli took the story about Mahler hearing the drum during a NYC fireman's funeral and ran with it. Result is (for me) a much much too prominent drum.

[relm1]

My favorite is Barshai.  I believe it is with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester.