Mendelssohn's 3rd Symphony - Recordings that you enjoy

[Gurn Blanston]

This is one of those symphonies that, against all odds, rises well up the list whenever I choose my favorites. I would love to have the definitive recording of it, I suppose, but listening to various orchestras have a go at it provides its own form of enjoyment. I haven't heard it get killed yet, so I suppose the music transcends different approaches.

My versions:
NBC SO / Toscanini (1941, the oldest!)
Chicago SO / Solti
Berlin RSO / Barenboim
London SO / Abbado
San Francisco SO / Blomstedt

I think I have a couple more, but can't put my hands on them right now. In any case, my favorite at this point in time is the Chicago/Solti, something I might not have predicted in advance. The playing is crisp and wonderfully articulated, there is no lagging in the Allegro vivacissimo, and it seems to push all the right buttons for me.

I would be interested to hear your favorite versions, along with some arguments as to why they should become mine too. I want to expand my humble collection of this work, but not blindly.

Thanks for your input,
Gurn 

----------------
Listening to:
Brahms - Karl Engel-Edith Mathis - WoO 33 #21 Volkslied for Soprano & Piano "Es ging ein Maidlein zarte"

[flyingdutchman]

MAAG!!! End of story.

[Gurn Blanston]

MAAG!!! End of story.

You mean Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid? Is that his only essay?



----------------
Listening to:
London SO \ Abbado - Symphonie No. 3 "Scottish"- IV. Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai

[dirkronk]

You mean Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid? Is that his only essay?

I love Maag's classic LSO version on Decca/London, paired on my old LP with their Hebrides overture. This is slower in sections and in some ways more pastoral than other versions of the Scottish, but pretty grand in presentation. Great sonics on the original LP...and although I do have a CD transfer (with MSND excerpts added), it's been too long since I heard it in that format to say how well those sonics now hold up. Perhaps someone else can comment.

Cheers,

Dirk

[Gurn Blanston]

I am particularly interested from those who have heard it: how is COE / Harnoncourt in these works? Also WP / Dohnanyi.




----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 1st mvmt

[flyingdutchman]

You mean Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid? Is that his only essay?



----------------
Listening to:
London SO \ Abbado - Symphonie No. 3 "Scottish"- IV. Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai

Gurn, you know which one I meant.

[Gurn Blanston]

I love Maag's classic LSO version on Decca/London, paired on my old LP with their Hebrides overture. This is slower in sections and in some ways more pastoral than other versions of the Scottish, but pretty grand in presentation. Great sonics on the original LP...and although I do have a CD transfer (with MSND excerpts added), it's been too long since I heard it in that format to say how well those sonics now hold up. Perhaps someone else can comment.

Cheers,

Dirk

Ah, LSO. That could be intriguing. Thanks for that, Dirk.



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 2nd mvmt

[adamdavid80]

I have three verisons, but the one that works best for me is the Abbado.  This and FBM's Italian symphony are both so tuneful and spirited it's hard to imagine ANYONE botching it entirely.  I haven't heard the Solti, but the way the CSO horns were recorded, I imagine it would be awesome.

I have the Muti version, which you haven't mentioned.  It's fine, but you'll survive without it.  Then again, it is bargain-priced...

http://www.amazon.com/Mendelssohn-Symphonies-3-4/dp/B00000JQY9/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224968453&sr=8-2

What about his piano concertos?  I have the Perahia version, and not head over heels with it (especially bc of the backgorund hiss).  I've heard the recent Hough interpretation on Hyperion is great...anyone know anything about that?

[flyingdutchman]

I love Maag's classic LSO version on Decca/London, paired on my old LP with their Hebrides overture. This is slower in sections and in some ways more pastoral than other versions of the Scottish, but pretty grand in presentation. Great sonics on the original LP...and although I do have a CD transfer (with MSND excerpts added), it's been too long since I heard it in that format to say how well those sonics now hold up. Perhaps someone else can comment.

Cheers,

Dirk

The classic LSO Maag is by far the one to get for dynamics, beauty of presentation (the slow movement is breathtaking), and sound.  I love this one so much, I've bought it in virtually every cd release, including the SACD from Japan and the classicrecords gold release.

[Gurn Blanston]

Gurn, you know which one I meant.

No, honestly, I didn't. I have never intentionally searched out this work, just picked up a few versions "by the way". Not realizing how much I enjoyed it until recently.

I was actually looking at that other when you posted, so it was in my mind.



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 2nd mvmt

[Gurn Blanston]

I have three verisons, but the one that works best for me is the Abbado.  This and FBM's Italian symphony are both so tuneful and spirited it's hard to imagine ANYONE botching it entirely.  I haven't heard the Solti, but the way the CSO horns were recorded, I imagine it would be awesome.

I have the Muti version, which you haven't mentioned.  It's fine, but you'll survive without it.  Then again, it is bargain-priced...

http://www.amazon.com/Mendelssohn-Symphonies-3-4/dp/B00000JQY9/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224968453&sr=8-2

What about his piano concertos?  I have the Perahia version, and not head over heels with it (especially bc of the backgorund hiss).  I've heard the recent Hough interpretation on Hyperion is great...anyone know anything about that?

FWIW, IMO the piano concertos have never been bettered by anyone since Serkin and Ormandy did them around 1960. This is still out there on SONY Essentials, and it still knocks me down every time I listen to it. YMMV, but several other versions have come and gone through my hands since then and none came close. (The Stern VC is pretty damned good too).



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 2nd mvmt

[adamdavid80]

The classic LSO Maag is by far the one to get for dynamics, beauty of presentation (the slow movement is breathtaking), and sound.  I love this one so much, I've bought it in virtually every cd release, including the SACD from Japan and the classicrecords gold release.

Do you have a link to the cover art, for the one with best overall sound quality?  Rave reviews like this inspire me to do my part in rescuing the battered economy!

[Gurn Blanston]

The classic LSO Maag is by far the one to get for dynamics, beauty of presentation (the slow movement is breathtaking), and sound.  I love this one so much, I've bought it in virtually every cd release, including the SACD from Japan and the classicrecords gold release.

OK, it's on the top of my list. Thanks for that.



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 2nd mvmt

[adamdavid80]

FWIW, IMO the piano concertos have never been bettered by anyone since Serkin and Ormandy did them around 1960. This is still out there on SONY Essentials, and it still knocks me down every time I listen to it. YMMV, but several other versions have come and gone through my hands since then and none came close. (The Stern VC is pretty damned good too).



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 2nd mvmt

I heard the Serkin once, but on a really crappy stereo, so I thought the sound quality was VERY bad.  I could be wrong.  Apparently, I am.  Again, this is another bargain priced CD, I shouldn't be afraid to check this out.

[Gurn Blanston]

I heard the Serkin once, but on a really crappy stereo, so I thought the sound quality was VERY bad.  I could be wrong.  Apparently, I am.  Again, this is another bargain priced CD, I shouldn't be afraid to check this out.

The sound quality is NOT very bad, but there is a bit of hiss in it. I was able to totally block it out by the second measure because of the quality of the performance. This is Serkin (an absolute master pianist) at the peak of his powers and The Philadelphians with Ormandy as one of the leading accompanists of their time. I have heard that this got a remaster since I bought mine (in 1995) which may have de-hissed it a bit, but I don't know that for sure. In any case, I am no advocate for historic recordings as anyone can tell you, but this is one to have.



----------------
Listening to:
Chicago SO / Solti - FMB Symphony #3 in a Op 56 3rd mvmt

[flyingdutchman]

This one:



That is the SACD, but if you can't get it, then get this one:

[Solitary Wanderer]

I have Blomstedt/SFS on Decca which is excellent.

I also have this:



which is also very good, but the 3rd isn't as vital as the Blomstedt IMO.

[flyingdutchman]

I also have the Abbado and a vast number of others.  Nevermind those, get the Maag.

[adamdavid80]

This one:



That is the SACD, but if you can't get it, then get this one:

How is the Maag Italian symphony? 

[flyingdutchman]

The Maag 4th, on IMP or MCA classics is quite fine, but does not stand up to the Scottish LSO account.