Topic: Recordings of Mahler's 7th

[Crudblud]

Gielen gets this symphony so well. From the way he reads the tremolo strings in the very opening bars to just, well... everything. It's so, so good! If I had to pick desert island discs it would probably be on the list.

[Ken B]

Boulez, Klemperer, Abbado, Abravanel, Levine. As usual with Mahler Bernstein is in the bottom half of the class.

[Heck148]

Abbado/CSO/DG
Bernstein/NYPO I, CBS, 60s...

[kishnevi]

Abbado/BPO
As best I remember, I thought Rattle was meh.
Sinopoli is another good one, and so is MTT/SFO
And I kind of liked Klemperer.

[Sergeant Rock]

And I kind of liked Klemperer.

Considering what most poeple think of it, that comes as a resounding endorsement 

Sarge

[springrite]

I really like the Tennstedt LIVE (On Memories label), and the Boulez on DG.

But the best LIVE I have attended was Gielen (LA Phil)

[Jay F]

1. My favorite Mahler 7 is part of this box set.

It's a much better deal to buy it than the single CD, and it features DSD sound.

2. This is my next favorite, Bernstein on DG ($2.99 on eBay): http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAHLER-SYMPHONIE-NO-7-Bernstein-/222296997935?hash=item33c1ef002f:g:uTcAAOSwxg5X1dxt

3. Then there's Abbado's original version with the Chicago SO, in its original 2-CD release: 

4. Later, I discovered Barenboim's M7, and it became a new favorite.

5. Same with MTT:

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I just listened to this one, which I now like very much



Mirror Image asked me what I thought in WAYLTN............

What do you think of that performance, Jessop?

I hadn't heard it before but it's very good. It is very grand but not quite as grand as Sinopoli's. The thing about this symphony is how much the tempi vary in each interpretation. Chailly takes his time to the most wonderful effect I have heard in the more lyrical subjects in the exposition and recapitulation and the changes tempo are imperceptible, almost like Elliott Carter and his metric modulation. The only thing about this interpretation is that there are times in some of the most heroic or climactic moments of the first movement that it feels a bit restraint. Perhaps because Chailly views things on more of a macro level in terms of the underlying pace of the movement. Personally I think that there could have been a bit more variety in the phrasing in these moments in the work, but the way Chailly builds up from 23:48 to 24:03 is absolutely thrilling. The middle movements are all pretty good to me, but where this interpretation really shines is in the finale where the fast pace is really complemented by wonderful micro-phrasing and really obvious articulations and accents that bring the movement to life. Around the 2nd minute and the 3rd minute of the last movement this is really apparent, with the music always seeming to be moving forwards to the next idea, the next colour, the next mood, in what always sounds logical fashion. The timpani+trumpet combination sound bright and dazzling, and the last couple of minutes (which are my favourite last minutes in any Mahler symphony) have that kind of heightened passion and intensity that I felt was missing at times in the recap/coda of the first movement.

[KevinP]

This is Mahler's most challenging works for the conductor. It's easy for a name conductor to get each movement right, but much harder to get the movements to fit together. The darkness of the earlier movements and the sunshine of the final are not easily reconciled.

[Marc]

The Oldies are good enough for me.
Most of them are Dead Oldies, btw.

In no particular order:

Bernstein/NYPh
Solti/ChSO
Haitink/Concertgebouw (1985 Xmas Matinee)
Abbado/ChSO

[Marc]

Concertgebouw Amsterdam, December 25th, 1985.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA</a>

[PerfectWagnerite]

A recent favorite of mine is Masur/Gewandhaus. At a tad over 71min one of the fastest on record. The first movement whizzes by at a little over 19 min where a typical timing is more like 22min. The main Allegro really whizzes by but still with a lot of detail. The tenor horn solo is played mezzo-piano instead of forte as marked, giving the music a much more sinister feeling.

[Mirror Image]

I'm not a huge fan of Rattle's Mahler, but I recall his 7th being particularly good. I think he was the first conductor who made this work click for me, but it was Abbado/CSO and Bernstein/NYPO (DG) that sealed the deal for me.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I'm not a huge fan of Rattle's Mahler, but I recall his 7th being particularly good.

Is that with the City of Birmingham SO or is there another one?

Concertgebouw Amsterdam, December 25th, 1985.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA</a>

Wow that is some superb playing !

[Mirror Image]

Is that with the City of Birmingham SO or is there another one?

It's with Birmingham.

[VonStupp]

I've never really got on with Mahler's 7th, which is why this disc, given away free with BBC Music Magazine, is the only version I own. It's a decent enough performance, but I should probably acquire another (Chailly or Abbado maybe?).

Yes, of Abbado's with Berlin, I think the 7th is my favorite of his cycle. Otherwise, I have kept Bernstein/NY, Solti/Levine (70's), and Klemperer close at hand.

I was very, very surprised a decade or so ago when Gerard Schwarz leading the RLPO gave a strong reading of the 7th. I still find myself coming back to it when I have a Mahler hankering.

Perhaps it has been too long since I dipped into the Mahler well; it has been a while.

VS

[vers la flamme]

I really like the Michael Tilson Thomas/LSO on RCA Victor. Just got it recently.

[André]

Concertgebouw Amsterdam, December 25th, 1985.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/IEoYrRBAGqA</a>

A truly fantastic performance. What an orchestra !

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Haven't seen much mention of this one, but I recently picked up Haitink's 2nd (non-cycle) recording, made about 1982.

Although it's early digital, it sounds great, with tons of detail and a nice ambience. Haitink takes a fairly leisurely stroll through the score and at times I wanted more energy, but he's good on atmosphere. 

[JBS]

Yes, of Abbado's with Berlin, I think the 7th is my favorite of his cycle. Otherwise, I have kept Bernstein/NY, Solti/Levine (70's), and Klemperer close at hand.

I was very, very surprised a decade or so ago when Gerard Schwarz leading the RLPO gave a strong reading of the 7th. I still find myself coming back to it when I have a Mahler hankering.

Perhaps it has been too long since I dipped into the Mahler well; it has been a while.

VS

Definitely agree the Abbado.