Mahler recordings...recent or past, commercial or broadcast.

[alkan]

Every revist to the Michael Tilson Thomas M6 just gets better and better...the staying power of this recording is impressive. It sure doesn't reveal its secrets right away, but after a period of time the special qualities begin to be heard...the tone of a horn here, the turn of a phrase there...and like a field of flowers in bloom, the overall arch of a complete picture comes into focus. This sound quality of the SFSO, which sounds very refined as if from a dream-like space, really shines in the andante movement, and a sense of the past and present seems to spread like a wave through each movement in linear time as I listen. Paradoxically, it seemed this work was the symphony where Mahler was at his most objective, his most scientific experiment in the context of arranged sounds.  For my ears, the MTT M6 has appeared to out perform all the recent M6's I've been hearing (with exception to the Zinman, which still compares well).

I understand that this was recorded on 12th September 2001   .... one day after 9/11.      I can imagine this had a subconcious impact on the performers .....

[Moldyoldie]

[Pasted from elsewhere]
It seems to come in various packaging.
Mahler: Symphony No. 5
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Frank Shipway, cond.
RPO PLATINUM
Shipway/RPO's Mahler Fifth is schizoid to the max (in the now sullied sense of meaning thoroughly contrasting in mood, tempo and dynamics); yet comprehensible, committed, and thrillingly performed -- it's how I imagine Mahler imagined it! The brass soloists are spot-on in expression and overall ensemble is quite fine with this very inspired conducting. Also, the twelve-minute Adagietto isn't "beautiful", it's fine steel mesh being stretched and rent asunder. This is a Mahler Fifth that demands to be heard!

The recording is spacious, somewhat less than impeccably balanced; but mostly clean, unfussy and gimmick-free...and it's available dirt cheap online. You'll love it!

[DavidRoss]

I understand that this was recorded on 12th September 2001   .... one day after 9/11.      I can imagine this had a subconcious impact on the performers .....

As well as a significant conscious effect.  It is a wonderful 6th, as are all of the recordings in this cycle.  I think it may be time to revisit it.

[kishnevi]

[Pasted from elsewhere]
It seems to come in various packaging.
Mahler: Symphony No. 5
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Frank Shipway, cond.
RPO PLATINUM
Shipway/RPO's Mahler Fifth is schizoid to the max (in the now sullied sense of meaning thoroughly contrasting in mood, tempo and dynamics); yet comprehensible, committed, and thrillingly performed -- it's how I imagine Mahler imagined it! The brass soloists are spot-on in expression and overall ensemble is quite fine with this very inspired conducting. Also, the twelve-minute Adagietto isn't "beautiful", it's fine steel mesh being stretched and rent asunder. This is a Mahler Fifth that demands to be heard!

The recording is spacious, somewhat less than impeccably balanced; but mostly clean, unfussy and gimmick-free...and it's available dirt cheap online. You'll love it!

I just picked up a recording of Shostakovich 10 from Shipway and the RPO under something called Royal Philharmonic Masterworks: Audiophile Collection.  It's much better than anything that cheap has a right to be

Speaking of cheap Mahler  recordings, there are recordings of the Fifth and Seventh by Orquesta Filarmonica de Gran Canaria on Arte Nova (possibly some of the other symphonies as well).  Again, while they may not desert island quality, they are certainly far better than the pricing suggests.  Also on Arte Nova, for the same dirt cheap price, is the Gerharer/Huber recording of the piano version of Kindertotenlieder, packaged with Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony and Gerharer singing Schoenberg's chamber ensemble version of the Wayfarer songs.

[brunumb]

Speaking of Haitink, allow me to post my favorite Mahler 6 broadcast, and perhaps my all time top Mahler 6.



Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.6 in A minor

1. Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig, aber markig.
2. Andante moderato
3. Scherzo: Wuchtig
4. Finale: Sostenuto - Allegro moderato - Allegro energico

(Around 80 minutes)


London Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink (13/VI/2004)

http://rapidshare.com/files/11029148/Mahler_6_LSO_Haitink_2004.zip

Thanks for the link Leo.  I downloaded the file and just finished listening.
I'm sorry to say that to me it just felt dull, flat and interminable (and the sound quality didn't help).  But since you think very highly of it, I will try again later.

[kishnevi]

Thanks for the link Leo.  I downloaded the file and just finished listening.
I'm sorry to say that to me it just felt dull, flat and interminable (and the sound quality didn't help).  But since you think very highly of it, I will try again later.

Then you'd better not try the CSO Resound version, which has a total timing of 90'41''.  And interesting when compared to this version--on the CSO he chose to have the scherzo come before the andante.
(Exact timings on the CSO Resound: 25'56", 14'23", 16'12", 34'10".)

[Leo K.]

Thanks for the link Leo.  I downloaded the file and just finished listening.
I'm sorry to say that to me it just felt dull, flat and interminable (and the sound quality didn't help).  But since you think very highly of it, I will try again later.

Thanks for your thoughts.  Perhaps a second listening will be better.  It is a slower performance, so perhaps not to everyone's taste. 

Also, goes to show how different we all hear music 

[Leo K.]

[Pasted from elsewhere]
It seems to come in various packaging.
Mahler: Symphony No. 5
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Frank Shipway, cond.
RPO PLATINUM
Shipway/RPO's Mahler Fifth is schizoid to the max (in the now sullied sense of meaning thoroughly contrasting in mood, tempo and dynamics); yet comprehensible, committed, and thrillingly performed -- it's how I imagine Mahler imagined it! The brass soloists are spot-on in expression and overall ensemble is quite fine with this very inspired conducting. Also, the twelve-minute Adagietto isn't "beautiful", it's fine steel mesh being stretched and rent asunder. This is a Mahler Fifth that demands to be heard!

The recording is spacious, somewhat less than impeccably balanced; but mostly clean, unfussy and gimmick-free...and it's available dirt cheap online. You'll love it!

Thank you for the heads up...I haven't heard this and it sounds like my kind of M5!

[brunumb]

Mahler: Symphony No. 5
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Frank Shipway, cond.

If you are interested, this recording is also available as an SACD (hybrid) on the Membran label, and still inexpensive.
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//222845.htm
This site had a picture, but it was actually cheaper at Presto in the UK

[brunumb]

Thanks for your thoughts.  Perhaps a second listening will be better.  It is a slower performance, so perhaps not to everyone's taste. 

Also, goes to show how different we all hear music 

Hi Leo,
Just listened to the first movement again.  My negative reaction is mostly due to the sound.  It is very boxy and boomy.  The timps are very prominent, as if the microphones were planted right in the middle of them.  The bottom end of the sound spectrum seems to be emphasised so that the Mahlerian shrieks and squeals are really lost and tame.  You just can't smooth out the edges of Mahler like that.  The strings are basically lost in amongst everything.  Reminds me very much of old mono recordings.

You could perhaps answer a question for me if you are familiar with the Atlanta SO/Levi recording of M6.  The opening of the last movement sounds odd to me.  If there is a cymbal crash written, has he overdone it or has he added one that's not there?  I'm too hot and bothered to get it out and listen again right now, but that's the impression that stuck with me after the last run through.

[Sergeant Rock]

You could perhaps answer a question for me if you are familiar with the Atlanta SO/Levi recording of M6.  The opening of the last movement sounds odd to me.  If there is a cymbal crash written, has he overdone it or has he added one that's not there?  I'm too hot and bothered to get it out and listen again right now, but that's the impression that stuck with me after the last run through.

There is a cymbal stroke in the score (Becken is the German word):



I can hear it in every recording I have but, yes, it's far more prominent in Levi's recording. It's marked P so Mahler wanted a whisper here and, arguably, Levi lets his percussionist wack it too loudly. I like it though. In some recordings, like Szell's, it barely registers, and I think it should be heard clearly given the fact the orchestration is so lean at this point.

Sarge

[MishaK]

I can hear it in every recording I have but, yes, it's far more prominent in Levi's recording. It's marked P so Mahler wanted a whisper here and, arguably, Levi lets his percussionist wack it too loudly. I like it though. In some recordings, like Szell's, it barely registers, and I think it should be heard clearly given the fact the orchestration is so lean at this point.

Maybe Levi's percussionist didn't use the prescribed Schwammschlägel? 

[brunumb]

Thanks Sarge.  I like the opening to have a more 'mysterious' sound and the loud cymbal just kills the mood.  It reminds me of the opening to the last movement of the 1st.

schwammschlagel = sponge mallet.
Maybe not Mensch.

[MishaK]

schwammschlagel = sponge mallet.

I'm aware of that.    I just don't have that recording, so I can't confirm.

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm aware of that.    I just don't have that recording, so I can't confirm.

I have the recording, the cymbal stroke is very clear, but I can't tell. I don't have a comparative reference in my head. If I heard a comparison (soft stick vs hard) I could probably hear the difference but on this recording I can't. My guess though is that they followed Mahler's instructions and the recording engineers captured the sound better than most teams. The Telarc recording is unusually detailed, the percussion especially well-caught (although that won't be to everyone's taste. As brunumb pointed out, mystery is sacrificed for clarity at this point).

Sarge

[Leo K.]

I didn't care for this M4 the first couple times but now I'm warming up to the overall flow.  Overall this M4 is more "low key", but then again there is another (serious?) quality I can't put my finger on yet.  Again, the Adagio is stunning thanks to the BPO strings.  I actually really like Fleming's heavier voice in the Finale...her voice is reminiscent of Berg's sound world, and it adds a feeling of darkness to the Finale.

[relm1]

I understand that this was recorded on 12th September 2001   .... one day after 9/11.      I can imagine this had a subconcious impact on the performers .....

I will add that I attended the September 12, 2001 concert performance that this recording came from. The sense of tragedy was truly devastating and I don't think anyone in the audience could keep their focus on anything but what was happening in New York.  I wondered how the performers could stay focused for the 90 minutes of intensity but no one in the room was far away from the tragedy and horrific images being replayed in our minds. There were many blank stares throughout the entire hall.  The bustling city was a cold ghost town that evening.  There was truly a sense of an inspired performance and a tribute to those who were suffering a tremendous injustice that was mind boggling in its cruelty.  I am glad the recording is preserved in such high-quality but frankly cannot revisit it because it recalls such bad memories.

[Jay F]

I didn't care for this M4 the first couple times but now I'm warming up to the overall flow.  Overall this M4 is more "low key", but then again there is another (serious?) quality I can't put my finger on yet.  Again, the Adagio is stunning thanks to the BPO strings.  I actually really like Fleming's heavier voice in the Finale...her voice is reminiscent of Berg's sound world, and it adds a feeling of darkness to the Finale.

I'm glad you posted this. I was able to get the box set today for $23. I had a couple of the symphonies, but not this one. Thanks.

[Leo K.]

I'm glad you posted this. I was able to get the box set today for $23. I had a couple of the symphonies, but not this one. Thanks.

Thanks Jay, Abbado's Mahler with the Berlin Phil. is so flowing, detailed with all kinds of interesting insights into the music (his Mahler 9 is another incredible recording).