Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[relm1]

So glad you went, and even gladder it was a beautiful experience. (Just curious, where did you end up sitting? I have been in a few places in Disney Hall, all of which had their advantages.)

As you allude to in your second paragraph, Mahler has much more to offer than explosives, as great as those moments are. One of his many strengths is the ability to go full bore with ear-shattering force, and then a few measures later, shrink down to tiny whispers. I've said it often: a lot of Mahler is like chamber music, even in enormous works like the Eighth.

And I'm glad you teared up! Has happened to me, and frankly, that piece should cause that reaction.

How did you know I went to Disney?  You have ESP?  I sat in the spot to take this picture so a very decent seat.  Also good, there was a recent CD released of his songs which I very much enjoyed.  I was surprised that Urlicht came from a prior song cycle.  I liked the chamber quality of the songs and of course they are very deep, personal, and intimate.  You're right that he can do climaxes like no bodies business but can do whispers just as well.

[brewski]

Haha, no ESP, just research on a hunch. In September, when you mentioned a Mahler 2 performance in October and high ticket prices, I thought it might be the LA Phil, and voila. The piece isn't performed that often, so it was easy to find.

And that angle shows you got perhaps an ideal vantage point — for that piece, farther back is a good choice.

[relm1]

Haha, no ESP, just research on a hunch. In September, when you mentioned a Mahler 2 performance in October and high ticket prices, I thought it might be the LA Phil, and voila. The piece isn't performed that often, so it was easy to find.

And that angle shows you got perhaps an ideal vantage point — for that piece, farther back is a good choice.

It was a perfect auditory and visual experience.  The organ was right in my face.  Interestingly, the off stage players were in the rear so gave a neat surround effect.

[martinlest]

I have been a 'Mahler maniac' since my mid teens (which is a long time ago now!). Not just listening to his music, but reading extensively about his life and works (de la Grange, Donald Mitchell... ), not to mention making occasional pilgrimages to his grave in Vienna (last time about 18 months ago). I can think of very few people (whom I have never met, at least) who have had such a positive influence on my life and by now I feel I know the man almost as a friend. I guess many here will feel the same way.

I have a specific question though re. recordings. (I am away on holiday for two weeks from tomorrow, but will of course come back to this thread when I return, to see if anyone has had added any comments). It's this: how do people feel about Gary Bertini's Mahler recordings, both compared to other highly acclaimed performances (Bernstein for instance) and (moreover), to each other. That's to say, how do people feel about his Cologne recordings compared to those made later in Tokyo? I really only know his Cologne 3rd (which is the best performance of it I know, Bernstein notwithstanding). The Cologne CDs are now as rare as hens' teeth of course, and far more expensive, so whether I will get to hear many of them (one or two are downloadable online) is unsure. But even so, anyone with strong (or interesting!) views on this, especially as I say, regarding Bertini's various renditions (including live Berlin and Vienna performances available on YouTube), I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say. 

[relm1]

I have been a 'Mahler maniac' since my mid teens (which is a long time ago now!). Not just listening to his music, but reading extensively about his life and works (de la Grange, Donald Mitchell... ), not to mention making occasional pilgrimages to his grave in Vienna (last time about 18 months ago). I can think of very few people (whom I have never met, at least) who have had such a positive influence on my life and by now I feel I know the man almost as a friend. I guess many here will feel the same way.

I have a specific question though re. recordings. (I am away on holiday for two weeks from tomorrow, but will of course come back to this thread when I return, to see if anyone has had added any comments). It's this: how do people feel about Gary Bertini's Mahler recordings, both compared to other highly acclaimed performances (Bernstein for instance) and (moreover), to each other. That's to say, how do people feel about his Cologne recordings compared to those made later in Tokyo? I really only know his Cologne 3rd (which is the best performance of it I know, Bernstein notwithstanding). The Cologne CDs are now as rare as hens' teeth of course, and far more expensive, so whether I will get to hear many of them (one or two are downloadable online) is unsure. But even so, anyone with strong (or interesting!) views on this, especially as I say, regarding Bertini's various renditions (including live Berlin and Vienna performances available on YouTube), I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say. 

Bertini is a very fine interpreter but I found the sound somewhat muddled.  I've only heard the cologne recordings but that they were very well interpreted. 

[Leo K.]

Bertini is very very fine. I like his complete Mahler cycle, but agree the sound is somewhat muddled as mentioned above. I particularly like his Mahler 5th and 8th. I like his Tokyo Mahler 9s too. It's been a very long time since I listened to those but I remember they were well done.

[Valentino]

(This could be common knowledge here but anyway:) There's a rather nice M3 from 22 with Zander and his Boston Philharmonic to download at the Boston Audio Society web site.

[Papy Oli]

(This could be common knowledge here but anyway:) There's a rather nice M3 from 22 with Zander and his Boston Philharmonic to download at the Boston Audio Society web site.

thank you!

[martinlest]

I guess I need to compare and contrast myself. I had not heard about the less than ideal sound quality - the Cologne 3rd, the only one I possess on CD, sounds wonderful.

[Roasted Swan]

I guess I need to compare and contrast myself. I had not heard about the less than ideal sound quality - the Cologne 3rd, the only one I possess on CD, sounds wonderful.

I don't own a hi-fi system of any great worth but I can't say I've ever found the sonics on this Bertini set to be anything but good.  The performances, however - as generally acknowledged - are excellent.

[Daverz]

Bertini is a very fine interpreter but I found the sound somewhat muddled.  I've only heard the cologne recordings but that they were very well interpreted. 

Muddled?  Problems with balances? 

[relm1]

Muddled?  Problems with balances? 

I would describe it as a live performance with a few room microphones.  Pretty good but you clearly aren't getting a pristine tone like say BIS/Minnesota.  My ideal would be somewhere in the middle.  There are technical reasons why a few room mics don't really fit the bill.  There is mic bleed and not each mic does the same thing well.  For example, a mic that is great at warmth can be harsh with loud brass.  A mic that is good with volume can be limited with soft toned instruments.  So you typically record with a mic that is best for what each instrument does and blend it in lightly to the room because the typical sound of an instrument is not right up close where a mic is.  A violin has a rosin scratch sound from two feet away but would sound great 30 or 40 feet away for example.  Each instrument has its own characteristic.  Too far and you lose clarity.  Too close, you lose the characteristic qualities.  You need a blend.