Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[mc ukrneal]

The 7th is fast becoming my favorite Mahler to listen to at the moment. THe Gielen sounds interesting, especially since my only LIVE experience with the work, and the one performance that changed my feeling towards the work, was Gielen, guest conducting the LA Phil. Maybe I should get that one eventually. At the moment, the Boulez and the Tennstedt LIVE would do.

Do you know, in recent months, I keep returning to this symphony lately. I have Kondrashin (got for a steal) and Bertini. It's the Kondrashin that really hooked me and is the one I keep listening to.  Both are good, but I was thinking that I would get a more modern version in glorious sound. So I was focusing on the CSO/Abbado version or NYPO/Bernstein/Sony version. My question is - are the sonics good enough? The online clips make the Bernstein sound like they were conducted in a bathtub. The Abbado sound better, but listening to clips of Mahler like this is impossible. So not really seeing much complaint about the Bernstein sound, I was wondering how much of a difference I would really notice.

I know you will tell me to get both, but let's assume only one is in the budget. Which would you pick (keeping in mind what I already have)?

[karlhenning]

Welcome, Jared!

[Scarpia]

The online clips make the Bernstein sound like they were conducted in a bathtub. The Abbado sound better, but listening to clips of Mahler like this is impossible. So not really seeing much complaint about the Bernstein sound, I was wondering how much of a difference I would really notice.

The Sony Berstein cycle has appalling sound.  I had the second to last attempt to remaster it.  There are claims that the last attempt "fixes" it but you can't put back what isn't there to begin with.  (I suspect it is like Windows 7 vs Vista.  If you want a better experience, you get a Mac.)  In Mahler that is a big problem.  In the glorious sound catagory Chailly and MTT come to mind.  (I have not heard the 7th yet in either cycle, but other symphonies in those cycles are splendid.)

[springrite]

Do you know, in recent months, I keep returning to this symphony lately. I have Kondrashin (got for a steal) and Bertini. It's the Kondrashin that really hooked me and is the one I keep listening to.  Both are good, but I was thinking that I would get a more modern version in glorious sound. So I was focusing on the CSO/Abbado version or NYPO/Bernstein/Sony version. My question is - are the sonics good enough? The online clips make the Bernstein sound like they were conducted in a bathtub. The Abbado sound better, but listening to clips of Mahler like this is impossible. So not really seeing much complaint about the Bernstein sound, I was wondering how much of a difference I would really notice.

I know you will tell me to get both, but let's assume only one is in the budget. Which would you pick (keeping in mind what I already have)?

For me, the Abbado takes the nod because of the sound quality at least. I also think it's the better performance.

I guess I should look to get the Kondrashin.

[kishnevi]

For me, the Abbado takes the nod because of the sound quality at least. I also think it's the better performance.

I guess I should look to get the Kondrashin.

I would point to  Abbado/Berlin not just for the sound but as my overall favorite recording of this symphony.  The MTT recording has just as good sound, but I rate it slightly less--Abbado catches the inner movements a shade or two better.

[jlaurson]

I would point to  Abbado/Berlin not just for the sound but as my overall favorite recording of this symphony.  The MTT recording has just as good sound, but I rate it slightly less--Abbado catches the inner movements a shade or two better.

Abbado-Berlin is where it's at, for the Nachtmusik. (MTT, although I expected something great precisely in that symphony from him, was a letdown; one of the few in the otherwise fine MTT/SFSO cycle.)

But don't not consider Boulez (best finale; alongside the otherwise perversely long Klemperer) and Barenboim, with the most intriguing first movement. (And no, I haven't a favorite for the very middle movement, though I suppose I'll take the Abbado/Berlin one along with the other middle movements.)

[RJR]

To Isolde,

If you are curious to know what Mahler would have written if he had not died so young then listen to a recording of his 10th Symphony.

[RJR]

There are several other composers who recorded some of their works on the Welte-Mignon piano rolls:

Debussy, Ravel, Grieg and several others. What a treat!

[greg]

Here's a random question.

Is there any else out there absolutely confused as to why the 7th is subtitled "Song of the Night"? To me it expresses "morning" or "early afternoon" more than almost any other music I've heard (probably only the beginning of the first symphony expresses "morning" more clearly).

[kishnevi]

Here's a random question.

Is there any else out there absolutely confused as to why the 7th is subtitled "Song of the Night"? To me it expresses "morning" or "early afternoon" more than almost any other music I've heard (probably only the beginning of the first symphony expresses "morning" more clearly).

I think there's a statement by Mahler that refers to a connection with the night--s sort of journey that ends with the dawn  (so you're partly correct).  Plus of course the fact that two of the inner movements are titled "Nachtmusik" suggests that Mahler was not thinking of daylight hours

[jlaurson]

I think there's a statement by Mahler that refers to a connection with the night--s sort of journey that ends with the dawn  (so you're partly correct).  Plus of course the fact that two of the inner movements are titled "Nachtmusik" suggests that Mahler was not thinking of daylight hours

About that:
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1351


BRSO - M3 - Jansons
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/12/ionarts-at-large-mariss-jansons-in.html

[Bogey]

How is Rafael Kubelik and the Bavarian Radio Symphony with Mahler 1?  How about Solti and the LSO?

[Mirror Image]

How is Rafael Kubelik and the Bavarian Radio Symphony with Mahler 1?  How about Solti and the LSO?

Solti's account with the CSO is very good, but I have not heard his earlier LSO recording. Kubelik's recording, however, with the BRSO is excellent. I've heard it several times.

[greg]

How is Rafael Kubelik and the Bavarian Radio Symphony with Mahler 1?  How about Solti and the LSO?

Kubelik is known to have one of the best Mahler 1sts ever... it's hard for me to have a strong opinion on any recording of this symphony, though I remember liking both.

[Scarpia]

How is Rafael Kubelik and the Bavarian Radio Symphony with Mahler 1?  How about Solti and the LSO?

Kubelik is a favorite of mine, although in these works state of the art audio engineering is a big plus.  Regarding the Solti, I tend to prefer his LSO recordings to the later CSO recordings.  That applies to the other recordings, 2, 3 and 9.

[jlaurson]

How is Rafael Kubelik and the Bavarian Radio Symphony with Mahler 1?  How about Solti and the LSO?

Kubelik is widely, if not universally, regarded as having providing "the" M1 with the DG / BRSO recording you presumably refer to. Though it should be noted that the audite live recording (also BRSO; same venue) that came a little later is yet again an improvement--including sonically.

I'm not keen on almost any of Solti's Mahler (although I have been semi-converted to his Sixth by Sarge) and that solidly extends to the LSO 1st.

FYI: M1 Survey, WETA

http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1000
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1037

[Bogey]

Thanks, folks and thank you for the WETA link!  This was the one I am considering, and it seems to line up nicely with what you are saying here:



The only wrinkle is that I am considering it on new vinyl, but the engineering should be excellent.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, folks and thank you for the WETA link!  This was the one I am considering, and it seems to line up nicely with what you are saying here:



The only wrinkle is that I am considering it on new vinyl, but the engineering should be excellent.

What about this DG remastered version, which I'm sure is cheap:

[Scarpia]

What about this DG remastered version, which I'm sure is cheap:

Not the same recording.

[Mirror Image]

Not the same recording.

Oh, okay, I just read about it. The one he has pictured is a live recording from the late '70s. Very cool. I'd like to hear it myself.