Mahler Mania, Rebooted

[DavidRoss]

[Re. Janssons/RCO]  Does anyone have their Mahler 6?

Not this one, but I do have the Janssons/LSO released recently on LSO Live and acquired during my Mahler Mania binge late this past summer, when I snatched up all of the MTT/SFS recordings so far, plus most of the late Lenny symphonies on DGG, and a few other odds and ends, including the stunningly beautiful Nagano/DSO Berlin Mahler 8th.  I recall admiring the Jannsons 6th quite a bit at the time but haven't heard it since.  Your query reminds me that it's due for another spin, maybe even later today after the Karajan/BP Tapiola (if I find the time after wasting so much here!).

[Renfield]

I recall admiring the Jannsons 6th quite a bit at the time but haven't heard it since.  Your query reminds me that it's due for another spin, maybe even later today after the Karajan/BP Tapiola (if I find the time after wasting so much here!).

For reference: Gramophone apparently thought the two recordings (LSO/RCO) were very similar, if one accounts for the different orchestras.

[greg]

What I saw when I looked at those covers were crushed anti-depressants. I don't know what the designer's actual intent was, but in an unrelated article/website/blog, this fellow sees a connection between bipolar illness and Mahler. http://www.mcmanweb.com/mahler.html

That was an awesome article, and I have to thank you for it.

Kay Jamison in "Touched with Fire" describes Mahler as cyclothymic, with a strong family history of mental illness - a brother who committed suicide, a sister with death hallucinations, and another brother with grandiose tendencies.

Stuff like that really makes me think. He did say that if it weren't for how he was, his symphonies wouldn't be how they are...

Undoubtedly, there is a Mahler in our midst, penning strange and incomprehensible music at this very moment, with a disturbing foretaste of things that may eventuate. This time, it may behoove us wake up and listen.

Yeah, that's right, you heard him- listen to the music I will be writing in the future! It's a commandment! 

really, though, if there was a new Mahler out there, i'd like to know! 

[greg]

here's an interesting read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclothymia

This disorder is common in the relatives of patients with bipolar disorder

I have a relative with bipolar disorder... is that why I like Mahler so much? 

[karlhenning]

here's an interesting read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclothymia

"Heeeeeee . . . has his contradicting views.
Sheeeeeee . . . has her cyclothymic moods . . . ."

[greg]

leave it up to Karl to find out how to apply King Cromson lyrics in a Mahler thread 

[karlhenning]

leave it up to Karl to find out how to apply King Cromson lyrics in a Mahler thread 

You gave the assist, lad!

[imperfection]

I can't help but love the Andante from the 6th to death. It is such a stark contrast to the rest of the symphony, which is, catastrophic and bleak. It's hard to find a movement as heart aching as this one...but that's probably because I haven't heard the 9th yet--I know I'm not prepared for it, so I'm saving the best for last. 

[greg]

I can't help but love the Andante from the 6th to death. It is such a stark contrast to the rest of the symphony, which is, catastrophic and bleak. It's hard to find a movement as heart aching as this one...but that's probably because I haven't heard the 9th yet--I know I'm not prepared for it, so I'm saving the best for last. 

Heh, if you feel that way about that movement, you're likely to love the 9th.

[jwinter]

But Barbirolli's is probably a good as the straight approach can get - quite certainly so among extant recordings!

Barbirolli's 9th is indeed excellent, I think all of his Mahler is worth hearing.  I think his 6th is my favorite -- the opening march has a rough, dark, brutal quality that really works for this piece.   

For a "straight" 9th I'd also recommend Ancerl & the Czech Philharmonic -- that's a wonderful CD.

[karlhenning]

For a "straight" 9th I'd also recommend Ancerl & the Czech Philharmonic -- that's a wonderful CD.

Hmm, there's a temptation!

[Sergeant Rock]

Hmm, there's a temptation!

Ancerl's Ninth is too "straight" for me, but yeah, it might be just the Ninth for you, Karl. And I mean that in the most positive way.

Sarge

[greg]

Barbirolli's 9th is indeed excellent, I think all of his Mahler is worth hearing.  I think his 6th is my favorite -- the opening march has a rough, dark, brutal quality that really works for this piece.   

For a "straight" 9th I'd also recommend Ancerl & the Czech Philharmonic -- that's a wonderful CD.

Is there a Naxos version of this? That recording sounds familiar- I might've listened to it, or at least bits.

This is all I could find, but it itsn't Naxos:
http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-Ancerl-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B00000359H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1233864646&sr=8-1

[Sergeant Rock]

Is there a Naxos version of this?

No, only on Supraphon. It isn't old enough yet for Naxos to steal 

Sarge

[greg]

Oh, I must've been thinking of another recording, then.

[Cato]

No, only on Supraphon. It isn't old enough yet for Naxos to steal 

Sarge

I believe Supraphon has a complete "Ancerl Gold Edition" (or used to at least) which would therefore need to include a Mahler Ninth.

In the good old days, nearly 50 years ago now,    (Oh great!  I needed to remember that!)  I had a recording of the Ninth by the London Symphony with conductor Leopold Ludwig (How much more Germanic could you get with that name?).

If it is still out there, it would qualify as a "straight" Mahler Ninth. 

As opposed to those with all the detours: maybe somebody wouldn't stop to ask for directions, and just wandered around doing his own thing?   0:)

[not edward]

For a "straight" 9th I'd also recommend Ancerl & the Czech Philharmonic -- that's a wonderful CD.

Seconded with great enthusiasm. I was pointed to this about three or four years ago by Molman, via DavidW, and have been so pleased by the recommendation.

It is indeed a very "straight" reading, but I think he brings out all the emotional depth without any self-indulgent distortions.... and naturally the CzPO winds are amazing. I'm not sure I grasped just how fine a reading it was initially, but the more I listened the more I realized that everything I love in this symphony is superbly brought out here.

[Marc]

Barbirolli's 9th is indeed excellent, I think all of his Mahler is worth hearing.  I think his 6th is my favorite -- the opening march has a rough, dark, brutal quality that really works for this piece.

And don't forget Barbirolli's groaning and moaning!
Frightening!   

For a "straight" 9th I'd also recommend Ancerl & the Czech Philharmonic -- that's a wonderful CD.

Ah! I have that one on vinyl!
I 'learned' to appreciate Mahler 9 thanks to this Ancerl recording, after I listened to this work for the first time, some 21 years ago, at Christmas Day 1987 (Concertgebouw Christmas Matinee, Haitink).

There's also another Czech conductor who has recorded a Ninth that I really like: Libor Pešek, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Still available, I think, at Virgin Classics.

[Renfield]

And don't forget Barbirolli's groaning and moaning!
Frightening!   

Somehow, I don't mind at all.

Not even Bernstein's "thumps" as he jumps on the podium, let alone Glorious John's subtle groaning; only Gould can get to me, on occasion.

[Marc]

And don't forget Barbirolli's groaning and moaning!
Frightening!

Somehow, I don't mind at all.

Not even Bernstein's "thumps" as he jumps on the podium, let alone Glorious John's subtle groaning; only Gould can get to me, on occasion.

My mistake. I should have written:
And don't forget Barbirolli's groaning and moaning!
Frightening!


But I forgot the biggrin.

I don't mind about the moaning, either.
And it doesn't frighten me, either.

On the other hand (since you mentioned him): Gould sometimes annoys me with his humming. I feel that he disturbs Bach's own counterpoint, by adding that extra part to the score. Still, it's one of those qualities that makes Gould's performance unique.