Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I personally very much enjoye the rather more speedy renditions of the 3rd. Particularly with the first movement during that exciting build up around two thirds of the way through. I like Solti's tempo and all others I've heard were slower.

[kishnevi]

I personally very much enjoye the rather more speedy renditions of the 3rd. Particularly with the first movement during that exciting build up around two thirds of the way through. I like Solti's tempo and all others I've heard were slower.

In that case, avoid Tilson Thomas and make sure to hear Gergiev.

But most of my recordings of the Third hover around 99-100 minutes.  I don't think I have Solti.
Some Thirds are boring.  But the only Third I never want to hear again is Rattle.

[André]

The Third is a mighty, delicate beast. It is not only multi-faceted (what catches the eye/ear) but multi-layered and, as such, welcomes undercurrents that may not be detectable at first hearing, but that leave you with puzzled feelings.

Some versions successfully capitalize on the first movement and tend to meander and get lost thereafter (as I said, it's a beast).

I have heard dozens of versions and know which ones I like (or don't) but still don't know if there is a "recipe".

One of my current favourites is the recent (2007) Chicago Symphony Orchestra recording under Bernard Haitink. The best of both (or many) worlds.

[Mirror Image]

I'm highly satisfied with Bernstein's 3rd on Deutsche Grammophon. Bernstein is, after all, my favorite Mahlerian.

[André]

It's a very solid version.

[kishnevi]

I probably don't have a favorite Third.  And it can stand different interpretations.  I mentioned Gergiev for speed and MTT for slow.
But the fact is, I like both.

The archetype for boring Third in my mind is the recording in which I first heard the work, a rather unfortunate introduction.

[vandermolen]

The Third is a mighty, delicate beast. It is not only multi-faceted (what catches the eye/ear) but multi-layered and, as such, welcomes undercurrents that may not be detectable at first hearing, but that leave you with puzzled feelings.

Some versions successfully capitalize on the first movement and tend to meander and get lost thereafter (as I said, it's a beast).

I have heard dozens of versions and know which ones I like (or don't) but still don't know if there is a "recipe".

One of my current favourites is the recent (2007) Chicago Symphony Orchestra recording under Bernard Haitink. The best of both (or many) worlds.

A friend of mine with whom I saw the Third live in London some months ago (a great experience for me as I hardly knew the work) kindly sent me the famous Horenstein version on Unicorn which I'm looking forward to hearing.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

The Third is a mighty, delicate beast. It is not only multi-faceted (what catches the eye/ear) but multi-layered and, as such, welcomes undercurrents that may not be detectable at first hearing, but that leave you with puzzled feelings.

Agreed entirely.


Gustav Mahler – Symphony No.3 (Part 1)

The Third Symphony, Mahler's longest, has sublime moments and plenty of them, but it can be difficult to find your way to—and around—it: Its quilt of music is complicated and never just straight forward and clear-cut...

...What did the job of giving me access to this symphony, eventually, was the combined glory of the Vienna Philharmonic, Anne Sofie von Otter (!), and Pierre Boulez: A recording of stunning clarity, von Otter's silvery voice ethereally high (almost soprano-like), superb playing and attention paid to every detail. Boulez is lifting the rug for you in this symphony and lets you have a peek at what it is all about...

[Mahlerian]

I remember feeling when I first heard it that Boulez's Third had the best trombone solo in the first movement compared to the other versions I knew (including Solti and the aforementioned Haitink 2007).  The solo is one of the best parts of that massive movement if handled correctly, but the pacing needs to give it the proper weight for it to work.

[Crudblud]

My favourite 3rd is Charles Adler conducting the Wiener Symphoniker. It's from the early '50s, so doesn't have the best sound, but it has been remastered decently in recent years and isn't such a major hurdle to deal with.

[Heck148]

I remember feeling when I first heard it that Boulez's Third had the best trombone solo in the first movement compared to the other versions I knew

My favorite trombone solo for M3 is Jay Friedman/Levine/CSO....
Joe Alessi/Bernstein/NYPO II is very good also. 

[TheGSMoeller]

Ok, I'm looking for some recs, sooooo....Best Das Lied von der Erde on record....GO!

[TheGSMoeller]

My favorite trombone solo for M3 is Jay Friedman/Levine/CSO....
Joe Alessi/Bernstein/NYPO II is very good also.

When the Alessi recording came out, i was floored by it. What power it possessed. But the more I explored other performances I realized that Alessi's was lacking the lyricism that other's offer. The solos from the Boulez/Vienna and Chailly/RCO (their names slip my mind) I feel convey the proper tone for this solo, they carry the weight but also at times seem as if the trombone is truly singing. The Jay Friedman solo is also quite powerful. But all great trombonist no doubt, and all deserve to be heard.

But on the subject of the 3rd, nothing matches the mystical and other-worldly beauty of Bernstein/NYP on DG recording. It's massive.

[Mirror Image]

Ok, I'm looking for some recs, sooooo....Best Das Lied von der Erde on record....GO!

There many of them but my vote goes to Karajan/Berliners (w/ Ludwig and Kollo) on DG. This recording is absolutely sumptuous. Bernstein's account (also w/ Ludwig and Kollo) with the Israel Philharmonic is also worth your time. Almost the polar opposite of HvK.

[TheGSMoeller]

There many of them but my vote goes to Karajan/Berliners (w/ Ludwig and Kollo) on DG. This recording is absolutely sumptuous. Bernstein's account (also w/ Ludwig and Kollo) with the Israel Philharmonic is also worth your time. Almost the polar opposite of HvK.

I do like Ludwig, so thanks for these, John.

[Mirror Image]

I do like Ludwig, so thanks for these, John.

You're welcome, Greg. I need to listen to Das Lied von der Erde as it's been too long.

[TheGSMoeller]

Ok, I'm looking for some recs, sooooo....Best Das Lied von der Erde on record....GO!

Only 1 recommendation so far? Im disappointed in GMG 

[Mahlerian]

Only 1 recommendation so far? Im disappointed in GMG 

How about Haitink/King/Baker or Tennstedt/Koenig/Baltsa?  I enjoy both of those.  Schoenberg's transcription is surprisingly valuable too, but I don't own a recording of that myself.

I found Reiner's disappointing despite some good singing, as the conductor's take on Mahler sounds false to me.  Boulez's has the opposite problem.  The conducting and playing are great, the singing is less stellar.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Only 1 recommendation so far? Im disappointed in GMG 

I am sure you will get a lot of good recommendations. Of more recent vintage i think this one is fantastic:



You will find some fabulous orchestral playing and Michelle DeYoung in top voice.

[kishnevi]

Krips/Wunderlich/Fischer Dieskau/Vienna Symphony