Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[Herman]

Thanks, Jens.  M7 is a mysterious work.  I must say that the 4th movement (Nachtmusik II) is utterly delightful, and a welcome reprieve to the eerieness and weirdness that pervades the rest of the symphony.  Love the mandolin!!

I don't see what's particularly "difficult" about this work, except that the finale is rather startling, and not as good as the rest.

The middle three movements are a great experience, with the scherzo as the heart of darkness of the entire symphony.

[BMW]

Not sure if anybody is interested (or if this is even a bargain) --- As part of their clearance sale, Arkiv is offering Sinopoli's complete Mahler for $59.99 ... is it any good? (though I am not really in the market for big ticket purchases at the moment.... don't talk it up too much! )

Has there been much discussion about single conductor Mahler cycles?  The search engine mostly lead me to threads about building cycles (logical, as this is the best way to get the best).  But what are some favorite overall boxes?  For some reason, even though many don't seem to be huge fans, the Solti set seems to be calling me.  Would be quite the gamble, though. 

[mc ukrneal]

Not sure if anybody is interested (or if this is even a bargain) --- As part of their clearance sale, Arkiv is offering Sinopoli's complete Mahler for $59.99 ... is it any good? (though I am not really in the market for big ticket purchases at the moment.... don't talk it up too much! )

Has there been much discussion about single conductor Mahler cycles?  The search engine mostly lead me to threads about building cycles (logical, as this is the best way to get the best).  But what are some favorite overall boxes?  For some reason, even though many don't seem to be huge fans, the Solti set seems to be calling me.  Would be quite the gamble, though.

Sinopoli is EUR 21.99 at JPC.

These days, there are some great boxes at reasonable prices including the above Sinopoli, Bernstein, Bertini, etc.  Others here can help discuss the various boxes (I've not heard so many), but I have been thrilled with Bertini who is consistently good. Solti is probably not such a risk. He has some well regarded versions out there, including the 8th, and these are quite good. Others can provide more detail.

[Philoctetes]

Not sure if anybody is interested (or if this is even a bargain) --- As part of their clearance sale, Arkiv is offering Sinopoli's complete Mahler for $59.99 ... is it any good? (though I am not really in the market for big ticket purchases at the moment.... don't talk it up too much! )

Has there been much discussion about single conductor Mahler cycles?  The search engine mostly lead me to threads about building cycles (logical, as this is the best way to get the best).  But what are some favorite overall boxes?  For some reason, even though many don't seem to be huge fans, the Solti set seems to be calling me.  Would be quite the gamble, though.

I own the Sinopoli, along with the Kubelik, and I find his cycle to be very enjoyable. It's well performed, although I find the orchestra a bit too balanced. (I tend to like my Mahler loud and bombastic, like the CSO with Solti.)

[jlaurson]

Not sure if anybody is interested (or if this is even a bargain) --- As part of their clearance sale, Arkiv is offering Sinopoli's complete Mahler for $59.99 ... is it any good? (though I am not really in the market for big ticket purchases at the moment.... don't talk it up too much! )

They're ridding themselves of the old set which has already been replaced in Europe by a much cheaper reincarnation of the same cycle. (~21 Euros)
The set itself is one of the most individual and one of the more rewarding. Solti's Mahler, well... let me not repeat myself too much. Shudder.

[Scarpia]

They're ridding themselves of the old set which has already been replaced in Europe by a much cheaper reincarnation of the same cycle. (~21 Euros)

...which has fake dolby-digital surround sound encoding.

[kishnevi]

I own the Sinopoli, along with the Kubelik, and I find his cycle to be very enjoyable. It's well performed, although I find the orchestra a bit too balanced. (I tend to like my Mahler loud and bombastic, like the CSO with Solti.)

The DG Complete Mahler box includes Sinopoli's 7th.  I'm not sure how I rate the performance overall, but one thing I did notice, especially in the first movement, was that much more of the detailing and the inner voices came out: I heard more than I remember hearing in almost any other recording of the symphony.

[Philoctetes]

The DG Complete Mahler box includes Sinopoli's 7th.  I'm not sure how I rate the performance overall, but one thing I did notice, especially in the first movement, was that much more of the detailing and the inner voices came out: I heard more than I remember hearing in almost any other recording of the symphony.

I would agree with that, in regards to Sinopoli.

[BMW]

Quote from: jlaurson on August 10, 2010, 05:27:51 PM
They're ridding themselves of the old set which has already been replaced in Europe by a much cheaper reincarnation of the same cycle. (~21 Euros)

...which has fake dolby-digital surround sound encoding.

Guess this particular deal is only a deal if one is in persuit of these recordings sans dolby-digital.

Does anybody know where I could hear the "Conductors Speak about Mahler" and "I Remember Mahler Programs" from the big New York Philharmonic live set (without buying it or the newly remastered Bernstein which only seems to have the latter)?  I only learned of these programs an hour ago and cannot believe that such fascinating documents can exist without getting much more publicity.  I still find it difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that there were so many people who knew Mahler (including the mother of his children!) that lived to see two World Wars, the atomic bomb, the launching of the space program, at least the beginnings of Vietnam.........crazy.

[jlaurson]

Guess this particular deal is only a deal if one is in persuit of these recordings sans dolby-digital.

Does anybody know where I could hear the "Conductors Speak about Mahler" and "I Remember Mahler Programs" from the big New York Philharmonic live set (without buying it or the newly remastered Bernstein which only seems to have the latter)?  I only learned of these programs an hour ago and cannot believe that such fascinating documents can exist without getting much more publicity.  I still find it difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that there were so many people who knew Mahler (including the mother of his children!) that lived to see two World Wars, the atomic bomb, the launching of the space program, at least the beginnings of Vietnam.........crazy.

Interesting more in theory than actuality, I found.
I'm sure someone can upload that for you, though...

[Drasko]

Levine's incomplete cycle is coming out boxed from Sony in autumn.

http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3889432

[Lethevich]

Ooh, finally. Some of those have been outsider picks for so long.

[DavidRoss]

Ooh, finally. Some of those have been outsider picks for so long.

Gosh, I'm not sure I've ever heard any Mahler recordings by Levine.  I do admire him greatly in selected repertoire, however, so I'm certainly interested in giving him a go.  Which recording(s) do you recommend?

[karlhenning]

Gosh, I'm not sure I've ever heard any Mahler recordings by Levine.  I do admire him greatly in selected repertoire, however, so I'm certainly interested in giving him a go.  Which recording(s) do you recommend?

I cannot speak for any of his recordings (well, except for the live recording of the Sixth with the BSO that was released a season or two ago).  Hearing the Ninth in Symphony Hall under Levine's direction was wonderful.

[BMW]

Gosh, I'm not sure I've ever heard any Mahler recordings by Levine.  I do admire him greatly in selected repertoire, however, so I'm certainly interested in giving him a go.  Which recording(s) do you recommend?

The Fifth from Philadelphia for the solo trumpet of Frank Kaderabek.

[BMW]

Interesting more in theory than actuality, I found.

Say it ain't so!!!!!!!!!!!   

What did you find disappointing about it?  Others seem to think it is worth the cost of the new Bernstein set (the merits of whose remastering I see has already come up on this forum).

[jlaurson]

Say it ain't so!!!!!!!!!!!   

What did you find disappointing about it?  Others seem to think it is worth the cost of the new Bernstein set (the merits of whose remastering I see has already come up on this forum).

Sure it's interesting in hearing a 50's, 60's broadcast of interviews of old orchestra musicians that played with Mahler... but no more than "interesting". It wasn't revelatory in any meaningful way. A great bonus to have in that set and to listen to, once, twice...  Part of the superb overall presentation of that remastered, reorganized set but hardly reason to spring for it if you already have the old set and don't care about the slight (but notable) improvement of the sound quality.

[Lethevich]

Gosh, I'm not sure I've ever heard any Mahler recordings by Levine.  I do admire him greatly in selected repertoire, however, so I'm certainly interested in giving him a go.  Which recording(s) do you recommend?

I think Sarge is the go-to guy for Levine in Mahler - he has made numerous positive comments. The one I followed up was the 3rd, which I found far more convincing than many in full cycles - I often find myself feeling the 3rd is among the weakest of many cycles. The Levine breathes naturalness, confidence and has a singer on great form.

[BMW]

Sure it's interesting in hearing a 50's, 60's broadcast of interviews of old orchestra musicians that played with Mahler... but no more than "interesting". It wasn't revelatory in any meaningful way. A great bonus to have in that set and to listen to, once, twice...  Part of the superb overall presentation of that remastered, reorganized set but hardly reason to spring for it if you already have the old set and don't care about the slight (but notable) improvement of the sound quality.

I have several of Bernstein's Mahler recordings on LP and am not planning on buying the complete CD set anytime soon.  Will continue searching around and keep my fingers crossed for what would be a much appreciated upload!

[DarkAngel]

This is the best Mahler disc you can buy today.............
(for highest quality picture and sound)

I previously reported here on the Abbado Mahler DVD set as I acquired them 2,4,5,6,7,9 and we are still waiting for 8th, 1st was just released. All very impressive recent performances in quality widescreen 16:9 format, very happy with them overall.

This 2007 Mahler 3rd in blu ray 1080p format however is just amazing, has raised the realism bar to another level. The picture quality is the best I have seen for any classical disc, you are holding the instruments in your hand and seeing everything in the finest detail, but even more impressive is the sound quality. The 5.1 surround sound is extremely impressive with a massive dynamic range, this is the complete audio visual package. I was completely immersed in Mahler's world and only wish previous releases were also blu ray discs.......

Anyone else have this yet?