Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[vers la flamme]

I will reserve judgment for now.  I will say that if Hurwitz also really likes Bertini and Kubelik, then I think that we are on the exact same page for Mahler.

Indeed, he put Bertini in the same rank as Gielen, Bernstein and Chailly. Kubelík he rated somewhat lower but still had favorable things to say about it. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an affordable box of the Kubelík cycle, other than that I'm not sure if I'm interested in picking up whole Mahler cycles from anyone.

[André]

I culled the Bertini and Chailly sets from my shelves (so many discs, so little space  ). Both have some good things but as a whole I feel they don't make the cut.

[DavidW]

A gross misreading for sure! I don't even have a good excuse, as I've already pulled two shots this morning

My reaction was D**N he starts early!  And then I was like oh wait espresso...

[DavidW]

I culled the Bertini and Chailly sets from my shelves (so many discs, so little space  ). Both have some good things but as a whole I feel they don't make the cut.

I suppose we should have different tiers

1. I must own it on cd!
2. I need to retain a digital download/cd rip.
3. I'll stream if it I want to hear it again.
4. If I never hear it again it will be too soon!

[vers la flamme]

Someone recommend me a Mahler 3? I have Haitink/BRSO on BR Klassik (a true killer) and Bernstein/NY on Sony (the classic). Maybe something different from either of these?

Any thoughts on Abbado's 3rd? I liked what I heard, sampling some of his first recording in Vienna and his later Berlin recording.

Boulez?

Horenstein in London I know is a classic and I see an affordable copy currently. Thoughts?

[Mirror Image]

Someone recommend me a Mahler 3? I have Haitink/BRSO on BR Klassik (a true killer) and Bernstein/NY on Sony (the classic). Maybe something different from either of these?

Any thoughts on Abbado's 3rd? I liked what I heard, sampling some of his first recording in Vienna and his later Berlin recording.

Boulez?

Horenstein in London I know is a classic and I see an affordable copy currently. Thoughts?

If you can find it for a good price, the Tennstedt/LPO live 3rd on the ICA Classics label is one of my favorites:



Another incredibly fine 3rd is the Abbado/Wiener Philharmoniker you mentioned (Jessye Norman is on it and sings wonderfully). I'm less impressed with his live Berliner recording. Chailly is also one of the great performances.

[DavidW]

My favorite is Ivan Fischer. 

I like Abbado's Berlin, I haven't heard the Vienna.

The Boulez M3 is one of the few Boulez Mahler recordings I haven't heard.  I'm sure MI and Traverso will jump in though.

Ivan Fischer's style is very transparent and detailed (and he has that gorgeous and controversial upward oboe glissando) but I think it might be a mistake to label him as classicist or modernist.  There is plenty of passion to be found here.  I would just say that he is unique. 

It provides great contrast to my second favorite, the Bernstein NYPO which you already own.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Someone recommend me a Mahler 3?

Haitink's first recording (1960s, on Philips originally) has lasted really well with me, although if you already have a Haitink, you may not want him twice. Chailly with the same orchestra is also good and has killer sound.

I have the Horenstein on LP. Nowadays, the playing and sonics would not be competitive. It's worth hearing for the interpretation, which presents a very unified conception of the piece.

[LKB]

For M3, try the filmed performance of the VPO  with Bernstein from the '70's. Decent sound, Christa Ludwig is excellent in mvmt. 4, and an actual post horn for the off- stage solos in mvmt. 3. 

[Jo498]

Indeed, he put Bertini in the same rank as Gielen, Bernstein and Chailly. Kubelík he rated somewhat lower but still had favorable things to say about it. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an affordable box of the Kubelík cycle, other than that I'm not sure if I'm interested in picking up whole Mahler cycles from anyone.

The main complaint about Kubelik I have seen is the sound. I don't think it's bad but it's rather average for ca. 1970.

[DavidW]

I have the Horenstein on LP. Nowadays, the playing and sonics would not be competitive. It's worth hearing for the interpretation, which presents a very unified conception of the piece.

And the cds are mostly oop and bronzed.

[Roasted Swan]

A very left field Mahler 3 - not instead of any of the main recommendations but an "as well as"

Armin Jordan/L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande



I bought this for the Zemlinsky but most definitely stayed for the Mahler.  A live performance but quite a thriller.  As I say perhaps not the "One Mahler 3 to rule them all" but certainly worth hearing.......

[JBS]

Someone recommend me a Mahler 3? I have Haitink/BRSO on BR Klassik (a true killer) and Bernstein/NY on Sony (the classic). Maybe something different from either of these?

Any thoughts on Abbado's 3rd? I liked what I heard, sampling some of his first recording in Vienna and his later Berlin recording.

Boulez?

Horenstein in London I know is a classic and I see an affordable copy currently. Thoughts?

Zinman does a good job with the Third.
Jens has long advocated for the Boulez.

There are two recordings I would say should be avoided: Rattle and Mehta/BRSO.

[Mirror Image]

The Boulez M3 is one of the few Boulez Mahler recordings I haven't heard.  I'm sure MI and Traverso will jump in though.

Absolutely! Love the Boulez recording of the 3rd. But this was to be expected as I like the Mahler Boulez cycle in general.

[vers la flamme]

Pulled the trigger on Abbado/Vienna. But I appreciate all these other recs and hope to hear them all some day.

[vers la flamme]

Anyone listening to the Wunderhorn-Lieder lately? It's kind of just clicking with me how amazing they are! Chailly/RCO with Barbara Bonney, Matthias Goerne, Sara Fulgoni and Gösta Winbergh. What recordings do y'all like?

[VonStupp]

Anyone listening to the Wunderhorn-Lieder lately? It's kind of just clicking with me how amazing they are! Chailly/RCO with Barbara Bonney, Matthias Goerne, Sara Fulgoni and Gösta Winbergh. What recordings do y'all like?

It has been a very, very long time. Not necessarily tops, the last three I listened to were:

Bernstein/Ludwig/Berry
Tilson-Thomas/Graham/Hampson
Abbado/von Otter/Quasthoff

Quasthoff is a favorite baritone of mine, so I am biased.

VS

[LKB]

Anyone listening to the Wunderhorn-Lieder lately? It's kind of just clicking with me how amazing they are! Chailly/RCO with Barbara Bonney, Matthias Goerne, Sara Fulgoni and Gösta Winbergh. What recordings do y'all like?

The " historically indispensable " recording ( by most accounts ) features Fischer-Dieskau and Schwarzkopf with Szell conducting the LSO on EMI.

https://a.co/d/gZIOqS1

While I've never been a fan of Schwarzkopf, I'd agree that if you can only have one recording, it's probably the best choice.

My other favorite features Jesse Norman with John Shirley-Quirk, supported by Haitink and the RCO on Philips. It's not as memorable as the EMI overall, but I'll take Norman over Schwarzkopf any day.

https://a.co/d/hnEVGdQ

[staxomega]

Pulled the trigger on Abbado/Vienna. But I appreciate all these other recs and hope to hear them all some day.

This must be the most American colloquialism 

Someone mentioned bronzing CDs on the Horenstein Mahler 3, mine are bronzed but they play fine. It's among my favorite performances. This is my other favorite performance of Mahler 3, I'm looking forward to hearing Bychkov's cycle. Maybe someone would care to comment on the 4th that has been out a few weeks now.

[Mirror Image]

Pulled the trigger on Abbado/Vienna. But I appreciate all these other recs and hope to hear them all some day.

A fine choice, but you didn't post this is in the "Purchases" thread.