Uh oh! Another one! Can...not....resist.....
:)
Haven't forgotten. Just got hit with a couple extra projects delaying my listening (not to mention a third project at home)....
Do we have any schedule for feedback, voting or whatever? I had almost forgotten but now I listened at least to A1-4...
https://www.youtube.com/v/lQPgMQew7YU
This live Boulez/CSO performance of Mahler's Seventh is really good, better than his DG studio version with Cleveland for sure, though the Andante Amoroso is still a little too quick for my liking.
Thanks everyone! That's great progress. A1 'genteel' and 'polite' - hmm, I wasn't expecting that! ;) C2 - no hiding place! >:DI haven't finished the C group, but here is a preview of my opinion on A1:
They're all good recordings. There's only one of the 12 that I would describe as less than 'very good'.
Thanks Cato - that was quick! Let me know if you want me to send you another group in the same way.
Yes, those basses are important aren't they? I never really realised how much until listening closely to several of these samples.
I'm off now to watch/listen to bits of this, that Mahlerian mentioned in the WAYL2N thread. I love watching Boulez conduct!
Around 2010, maybe early 2011, I happened to catch part of a broadcast concert from the Chicago Symphony with Pierre Boulez conducting Mahler's Symphony #7. It was just as good as the DGG performance with him and the Cleveland Orchestra.
C2 - no hiding place! >:D
( C2 ) I should recuse myself...it's a long time favorite. Not sure I can be objective ;D
Sarge
Overall? That’s a tough one as it’s a pretty strong group of performances overall. A2, C1 and C3 would be the choices with A2 likely being tops. Still, I think C2 needs to be heard at least once.
On that basis, I'll award A2 a bonus point.
If anyone else who has listened to all three groups wants to nominate a 'best of all 3 groups' I'll do the same - 2 bonus points for a strong nomination and 1 point for a more tentative choice (like above).
If anyone else who has listened to all three groups wants to nominate a 'best of all 3 groups' I'll do the same - 2 bonus points for a strong nomination and 1 point for a more tentative choice (like above).
C2 - why not, gives him a lift, but never going to be enough >:D
Would we be interested in a 2nd/final round of 3 or 4, based on the Scherzo ? Or shall we just leave it here, wait for a few more listeners, then reveal?
I knew I was throwing my vote away but I could not do otherwise. By the way, B4 is my runner-up, so Mahlerian and I finally agree about something ;D
And what is that clicking on p. 152 of the score, right before the climax at the end of Cue 91?
...
And this time the "clicking" on p. 152 of the score, right before the climax at the end of Cue 91, seems to be a tambourine! Is there a another version with a tambourine at that part?
Thanks Cato !
(Note to self, must get hold of a score ... ) isn't that a percussion effect that is drowned out in many recordings? I've seen on videos a perussionist hitting the casing of a drum with what looks like an oversized egg-whisk - is it that bit?
My Eulenberg score (edited by Redlich) doesn't have any percussion marked at that crescendo, but I know that Mahler frequently made small changes to orchestration in rehearsals that some editions will incorporate and others won't. Performances these days will probably use the more recent critical edition score. Most recordings I've heard have a Rute, which is what you're describing.
C4/C3 ??? :D
C2 (Is that okay, Sarge? ;) )
C1
I still like A2!
Yes, please include a Scherzo excerpt! Might I suggest Cue 148, about halfway through, after the Tuba glissando and the fff Bb on the Timpani, followed by a general pause, and the music seems to start from the beginning?
The 'Final' zip file (3 clips) is here:
Group F zip (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cor5wSsMfIXrb98gsUtPLxCFZ2jrNCmQ/view?usp=sharing)[/b]
It's a different file repository - in the hope this one works better for Cato - so I hope it still works for everyone else! ;D I haven't used it before but I note there's a small 'download' link top right of screen.
Yes I like that section very much - and the viola solos before and after it - but then I also like how the movement starts - and how it finishes - but I won't present the whole Scherzo because that is a bit too close to piracy for my comfort.
I'm going to take it from the start, right through the section you describe, up to the whip-crack. An easy edit - so easy, I've already done them. A bit over 7 minutes on average. This is the top three only, and I'll reveal the rest, tomorrow, Tuesday. (These three are far enough ahead of 4th place that even a huge last-minute voting swing would not alter that.)
The 'Final' zip file (3 clips) is here:
Group F zip (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cor5wSsMfIXrb98gsUtPLxCFZ2jrNCmQ/view?usp=sharing)
It's a different file repository - in the hope this one works better for Cato - so I hope it still works for everyone else! ;D I haven't used it before but I note there's a small 'download' link top right of screen.
Odd, it's locked and you have to request access. It said I would receive an email if the request is granted. An email from you, aukhawk?
Sarge
Thanks for the tip Cato.
I've made that change (I think!!) and so Sarge and others you should be good to go now. Sorry for the hiccup. (Did I spell that right? :-\ )
It works! Many thanks to you again for the effort here!Worked for me too! This will be fun!
Results (so far)
As you'll see, there's nothing really to separate this first group
Results (so far)
C2 is Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia Orch / EMI 1968
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71VucLECECL._AC_SL1417_.jpg)
What can you say?? On the one hand - Klemperer and Mahler knew each other, Klemperer assistant-conducted at the premiere of the 8th Symphony, Mahler helped the young Klemperer get his conducting post in Prague. Unique and impeccable Mahlerian credentials there.
On the other - the maestro was 83 when he recorded this, physically paralysed down one side and mentally scarred from a lifetime of depressive episodes and brain surgery back in 1939.
On some level or another, this is a recording to treasure.
(...)
BTW the studio recording by Scherchen (Westminster) is pretty good and very "sane" for Scherchen's standards. Sound is decent studio mono.
1st scoring 20.5 or 103% ??? in round 1, and level top in round 2, is A2/F3:
"This recording really captures the musical momentum and drive of the work, all of its shifts in color and tone. Very detailed
"Good cowbells. I like the slower pace which brings out the "tango" rhythm (3:31) to spooky, and sleazy effect
"The basses are ominous, the ff "slide" in the strings is much more unsettling than in A1. The slower tempo is to my liking.
"This is a subtler approach, which I prefer. Darkness and lightness is much better caught here
A2/F3 is Leonard Bernstein / NYPO / CBS 1965
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61h2J8z1lRL._SS500_.jpg)
I had to choose between this, the oldest recording of the twelve - and his later recording on DG - but on listening to the two, it was no contest.
You chose correctly, at least in my opinion. Lenny's Columbia/Sony M7 co-reigns at the top (along with Klemp) of my collection (24 Sevenths). Very happy to see it winning. Gielen surprised because overall his cycle is one I don't much appreciate. Obviously his Seventh is one I have to give more attention to and may be the pick of the litter.
Thanks aukhawk for giving us a great and fun comparison.
Sarge
Mahlerian? (You could have a casting vote here! ??? ) (In fact - c'mon - tell us who they are ;D )
I love watching Boulez conduct!
[edit: hmm, his style mellowed somewhat since his days in charge of the BBC SO - a lot of finger-pointing and wrist-twiddling then.
I have checked the Chicago Symphony website, but so far this performance has not been released.