Best Mahler cds?
Richard A Meyer
the various Mahler symphonys.
Thanks,
Rick
.
Raymond Sunessen Tuttle
Overall, I would recommend the Bernstein recordings, either the earlier
ones on CBS, or the later ones on CD. You can buy the DGs as a boxed set
now at mid-price -- quite a bargain. But it's also good to buy individual
recordings, since no one cycle can bring out as much as picking and choosing
for each of the symphonies. Without justifying my choices (I will if anyone
wants to argue with me!) here's my pick:
No. 1: Sinopoli (DG), Bernstein (DG), Horenstein (Unicorn)
No. 2: Sinopoli (DG), Bernstein (DG), Klemperer (London Historic)
No. 3: Bernstein (DG), Bernstein (CBS), Horenstein (Unicorn)
No. 4: Szell (CBS, SONY), Abbado (DG)
No. 5: Sinopoli (DG), Barbirolli (Angel), Tennstedt (Angel)
No. 6: Bernstein (DG), Bernstein (CBS), Sinopoli (DG)
No. 7: Bernstein (DG)
No. 8: Bernstein (CBS), Solti (London)
No. 9: Barbirolli (Angel), Walter (CBS), Bernstein (DG)
Happy Mahlering!
--
Ray and his two "Dunkel ist das Leben, ist der Tod,"
little white mice, but it's nothing to get depressed about.
named Ursula and
Gudrun. *******************************************************
Robert Krawitz
I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
the various Mahler symphonys.
I have Solti/Chicago on the 8th and I like it very much.
--
ames >>>>>>>>> | Robert Krawitz <r...@think.com> 245 First St.
bloom-beacon > |think!rlk Cambridge, MA 02142
harvard >>>>>> . Thinking Machines Corp. (617)234-2116
Member of the League for Programming Freedom -- write lea...@prep.ai.mit.edu
m...@oregon.uoregon.edu
The best available Mahler cycle is, in my opinion, Bernstein on DG which
is issued as a boxed-set at midprice. However, Bernstein does not quite
succeed with the 8th and you might want to substitute here with Solti.
The most affordable complete cycle currently available is for sure Solti
with the CSO on London, which sells for US$ 59 (ten discs if I recall correctly). BUT, Solti is not Benstein when it comes to Mahler :).
Matthias
Dave Frederick
|> In article <203...@unix.cis.pitt.edu> jt...@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Richard A Meyer) writes:
|> >I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
|> >the various Mahler symphonys.
|> >
|> >Thanks,
|> >
|> >Rick
Has anyone else noticed (or is just another hallucination on my part?)
that, although no recorded music ever matches the feeling of a live
performance, recordings of Mahler as a group are the most disappointing
in conveying the feeling of a live performance? I have yet to hear even
a mediocre recording of either the third or eighth, and portions of the
second (especially the off-stage parts) are generally less than good.
However, here in the cultural abyss, we are lucky to ever hear a
Mahler performance, so I shall have to scour the earth in search of a
suitable recording.
|>
|> Overall, I would recommend the Bernstein recordings, either the earlier
|> ones on CBS, or the later ones on CD. You can buy the DGs as a boxed set
|> now at mid-price -- quite a bargain. But it's also good to buy individual
|> recordings, since no one cycle can bring out as much as picking and choosing
|> for each of the symphonies. Without justifying my choices (I will if anyone
|> wants to argue with me!) here's my pick:
Bernstein does a marvelous job conducting Mahler. The NY Philharmonic
has a trashy brass sound, which can ruin some performances (the DG
recording of the third comes to mind, since it's my favorite symphony
and 95% of it is excellent). Those with the Vienna are much better.
Also available as a low priced set are the Kubelik/Bavarian Radio
cycle on DG from the sixties. Pretty much over-engineered, but not
bad as Mahler recordings go.
Dave Frederick sas...@unx.sas.com
Jim Mann
versions of
> the various Mahler symphonys.
>
I like his 5th a lot.
Some of the best Mahler recordings are by Bruno Walter. However, while
the sound quality is good (unlike some of the historic recordings
by Toscinini for example), they are not DDD, so if that matters to
you, you may want to stick with Kubelick.
--
Jim Mann
jm...@vineland.pubs.stratus.com
Stratus Computer
Ken Adey - 296-5021 - LMO2/N11 24-Mar-1992 1323
> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
> the various Mahler symphonys.
Ken....
Pierre Jouvelot
I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
the various Mahler symphonys.
Listen to Inbal's complete cycle. Very good quality of an uncommun
orchestra (Frankfurt). A boxed set exists but is only available in
Europe (I know, I have it).
Globally, Inbal's interpretation is much more consistent than
Bernstein's (where the 4th, 7th and 8th are desasters, for my taste --
but the 6th is amazing!).
Pierre
Bart Gerritse
>Thanks,
>Rick
>.
This question may cause some discussion :-) I read mr. Tuttle's reaction and
I do not agree on some points. I do not like Bernstein's Mahler as much as
he does. For a complete set I would choose Solti. I agree with him that
picking the best performances per symphonie leads to a better result. Here
is my list:
1: Walter (CBS**)
2: Klemperer (EMI*), Walter (CBS**)
3: Abbado (DG)
4: Szell (Sony**), Klemperer (EMI*), Maazel (?)
5: Barbirolli (EMI*)
6: Szell (Sony**), Karajan (DG)
7: Abbado (DG)
8: Solti (Decca)
9: Walter (EMI*)
* mid price
** bargain price
I have not taken price into consideration.
I saw in Grammophone that EMI has reissued a recording of Mahler 7 by
Klemperer. Does anybody know this one?
Bart Gerritse
Gavin Ramsay
1: Berstein (DG) (Mid price) Solti (Decca)
2: Rattle (EMI)
3: Bernstein (CBS) (M)
4: Mazzel (CBS)
5: Berstein (DG) (M)
6: Bernstein (DG)
7: Bernstein (CBS) (M with No.9 and adigio from 10)
8: Tennstedt (EMI) Solti (Decca)
9: Klemperer (EMI) (M) Karjan (DG)
10: Rattle (EMI) (reissued on a single CD)
Das Lied: Ferrier/Patzak/Walter (CBS) Ludwig/Wunderlich/Klemperer (EMI)
Gavin Ramsay
Dave Frederick
ACKKK!
Rick Scherer
>Thanks,
>Rick
>.
Here are my personal favorites:
#1: Dohnanyi/Cleveland Orchestra LONDON
#2: Jansons/Oslo Philharmonic CHANDOS
#3: Horenstein/London Symphony UNICORN
#4: Ozawa/Boston Symphony PHILIPS
#5: Sinopoli/Philharmonia Orchestra DGG
#6: Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic DGG
#7: Abbado/Chicago Symphony DGG
#8: Inbal/Frankfurt Radio Symphony DENON
#9: Pesek/Royal Liverpool Phil. VIRGIN
The only selection I am not totally happy with is #4. The fourth movement
is sung by Kiri te Kanawa, who lacks the innocent, youthful voice the music
calls for. If I had a CD changer, I would by the Maazel/Battle performance
and program the first three movements of the Ozawa and switch to Maazel for
the fourth.
My strongest recommendation is #9. Pesek's performance is as close to
perfection as I think this work can be done - the last few minutes leave me
frozen in my chair. The recorded sound is awesome. And the filler is a
very good performance of the Adagio from Symphony #10. Get it.
Rick Scherer
MHU...@miamiu.bitnet
says:
>
>
>The best available Mahler cycle is, in my opinion, Bernstein on DG which
>is issued as a boxed-set at midprice. However, Bernstein does not quite
>succeed with the 8th and you might want to substitute here with Solti.
>The most affordable complete cycle currently available is for sure Solti
>with the CSO on London, which sells for US$ 59 (ten discs if I recall
>correctly). BUT, Solti is not Benstein when it comes to Mahler :).
>
available, but share the reservations about his 1975 reading of the 8th.
I've heard many 8th's (Solti/London, Bernstein/DG, Bernstein/CBS, Shaw/Telarc,
Ozawa/Philips, etc...) but the finest one I've heard is the Tennstedt
recording on EMI Angel. It has a wonderful presence, and is a polished
performance yet retains the *edge* that I feel is so essential to Mahler.
The sonic quality is the best for an 8th on disc, and this is the ONLY
recording that gives the thunderous organ part the exposure it deserves!!
I like the early Bernstein performance for CBS, too, but the recording suffers
from mediocre sound and poor balance between soloists and choruses.
Mike
David R. Emberson
Chicago. I believe that it is on London.
Every time someone tells me they can't tell the difference between CDs and
LPs I play this for them. Dale Clevenger (sp?), their principal horn, is
fantastic.
Dave Emberson (d...@eng.sun.com)
Christopher Colby
stunning Horenstein III on this thread? Don't hesitate to buy!
-chris
Raymond Sunessen Tuttle
Agreed. Kaplan's is a sorry excuse for a Mahler 2. Just because he's devoted
so much time and cash to the cause doesn't guarantee that he knows what he's
doing on the podium. And it sounds like he has no idea!
Raymond Sunessen Tuttle
I said that! (humph!)
Pablo Vogel Rosenbluth
[deleted]
>Overall, I would recommend the Bernstein recordings, either the earlier
>ones on CBS, or the later ones on CD. You can buy the DGs as a boxed set
>now at mid-price -- quite a bargain. But it's also good to buy individual
>recordings, since no one cycle can bring out as much as picking and choosing
>for each of the symphonies. Without justifying my choices (I will if anyone
>wants to argue with me!) here's my pick:
[deleted]
I have a recording of the symphony No.1 with Bernstein on DG but is
a live recording with the Concertgebow orchestra. I think that this is not
the same recording refered above. It features an execelent interpretation
and a very good sound. If the rest of the cycle is of the same quality
it is also a very good choice.
It would be better if the versions were especified less concisely
ej NY Phil/Bernstein on DG and not only Bernstein on DG
Pablo Vogel
Gavin Ramsay
in parts but it does grow marginally on you. not one of the best!
Gavin Ramsay.
J.K.Pearson
>
>>I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
>>the various Mahler symphonys.
>
>>Thanks,
>
>>Rick
>>.
>
>This question may cause some discussion :-) I read mr. Tuttle's reaction and
>I do not agree on some points. I do not like Bernstein's Mahler as much as
>he does. For a complete set I would choose Solti. I agree with him that
>picking the best performances per symphonie leads to a better result. Here
>is my list:
>
>1: Walter (CBS**)
>2: Klemperer (EMI*), Walter (CBS**)
I prefer the Holland festival recording with Ferrier.
>3: Abbado (DG)
>4: Szell (Sony**), Klemperer (EMI*), Maazel (?)
>5: Barbirolli (EMI*)
>6: Szell (Sony**), Karajan (DG)
>7: Abbado (DG)
>8: Solti (Decca)
>9: Walter (EMI*)
Also Klemperer's recording of IX, is by far the best in my opinion.
>
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin Pearson, | So what do you thinks going on? |
University of Kent at Canterbury | |
U.K. | |
Raymond Sunessen Tuttle
>In article <203...@unix.cis.pitt.edu> jt...@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Richard A
>Meyer) writes:
>> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best
>versions of
>> the various Mahler symphonys.
>>
>I have several recording with Rafael Kubelick that are quite good.
>I like his 5th a lot.
>
>Some of the best Mahler recordings are by Bruno Walter. However, while
>the sound quality is good (unlike some of the historic recordings
>by Toscinini for example), they are not DDD, so if that matters to
>you, you may want to stick with Kubelick.
Kubelik's are not DDD either - in fact, I believe they date from the 60s
(we're talking about the ones on DG, right?)
Does anyone out there really think that DDD makes a difference?
Jon Conrad
not absolutely sure all of these have made it to CD; most have.)
1: Abbado/Chicago (DG)
2: Abbado/Chicago (DG)
3: Horenstein/LondonSym (Unicorn)
4: Abbado/Vienna (DG)
5: Levine/Philadelphia (RCA)
6: Abbado/Chicago (DG)
7: Levine/Chicago (RCA)
8: Solti/Chicago (London)
9: Haitink/Concertgebouw (Philips)
10: Chailly/BerlinRadio (London)
And a few extras:
Das Lied von der Erde: Klemperer/Philharmonia (EMI)
Not entirely happy about Klemperer, but Christa Ludwig and Fritz
Wunderlich are just SO good....
Songs of a Wayfarer: Minton/Solti/Chicago (London)
Das Klagende Lied: Chailly/BerlinRadio (London)
Jon Alan Conrad
Raymond Sunessen Tuttle
well, vive la difference. I find Jon's choices for all but the Third, Eighth
and Ninth symphonies practically unlistenable (Well, OK, Abbado's Fourth
isn't too bad).
This is not meant as a criticism of Jon's taste; it just goes to show how
people can hear completely different things in a work and its various
recordings.
Jeff Lipton
I agree with many of the above recommendations, with the following additions:
Jascha Horenstein's recordings of #s 3,4 & 9; I've also heard his #6 & #7
(the latter recently available on a CD I bought in Boston), and Lied von der
Erde.
I agree about Walter for #2 and #9; Ferrier in the 1951 Concertgebouw
recording can't be beat, and it's now on a Decca CD. The companion per-
formance from that concert, Ferrier singing _Kindertotenlieder_ is also
wonderful, and has been announced for (re-)release on CD by Decca as well.
#5 - Try Bruno Walter, NY Philharmonic - I have on tape, but is coming out
on a Sony CD soon.
Too bad Furtwa:ngler never recorded any Mahler save Kindertotenlieder.
- Jeff
--
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Jeffrey F. Lipton, M.D. | (212)-982-1219 (home) |
| 353 E. 17th, #19-E NY, NY 10003 |"Disobedience was Man's First |
+----------------------------------------------- Virtue" (Oscar Wilde) -----+
Rob Holzel
> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
> the various Mahler symphonys.
1st: Solti/London Symphony (NOT the Chicago DDD recording) (available
in a 2-disc set at mid-price, along with a wonderful reading of
the 2nd from the same series -- both versions sound better to
me than his later digital retreads.) Both on Decca.
If DDD is essential, I hear the new Tennstedt on EMI is awesome.
Haven't heard it yet myself, sad to say.
2nd: Rattle/BSO, but if you don't appreciate some of Rattle's interpretive
choices you could do well by Abbado/Chicago on DG (mid-price)
or the Solti/London Symphony that's paired with the First above.
Abbado's recording has a transcendant "Urlicht" by Marilyn Horne.
The Rattle is DDD.
3rd: Abbado/Chicago, DDD. Full-price. The Horenstein on Unicorn is
reputed to be a first-choice as well, but I haven't heard it.
4th: Maazel/Battle, Szell/Raskin. Both at budget price or mid-price,
although the first is DDD. Battle owns the last movement, in
my opinion.
5th: Bernstein/Vienna on DG or Tennstedt/London on EMI. Accept no
substitutes.
6th: Horenstein on Unicorn, although I hear Szell's one-disc, budget-
priced recording is exceptional.
7th: Abbado/Chicago on DG. Full price, DDD.
8th: Toss-up between Tennstedt/London on EMI (DDD) and Solti/Chicago
on Decca. Both are full-price. I couldn't live without either
of them.
9th: Giulini/Chicago on DG (mid-price). I hear the later Bernstein
is good. I don't get the big deal over the Karajan/DG.
Das Lied von der Erde: Wunderlich/Ludwig/Klemperer, on EMI. Full
price.
Rob Holzel
>> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
>> the various Mahler symphonys.
Ick.
Rob Holzel
A-ha! I wondered about this. I don't know that this one-CD version
is available in the US yet, or if it even will be. When I saw it
in the stores I tried in vain to determine from the packaging whether
this was a reissue or a new recording.
Due to my doubts, I bought the Sanderling instead, which is also on one
disc. It sounds great to me, but my first encounter with the sublime
Adagio was through Bernstein's Columbia recording. Nothing really
seems to equal it, probably due in part to my getting used to the
slower tempo Bernstein chose.
Jon Conrad
>[ moi ]
>| 10: Chailly/BerlinRadio (London)
>Hmm... I wasn't aware of this one. Is it a "complete" Tenth, or just
>the adagio? If the former, whose "realization"? The standard DC one,
>or one of the lesser-known attempts?
The Deryck Cooke performing version, in its revised form. I think the
2-CD set includes Transfigured Night as a filler.
Chailly seems to have a real affinity for Germanic music of this period;
his Gurrelieder is also tops.
Jon Alan Conrad
Craig Young
>
>> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
>> the various Mahler symphonys.
>
>1st: Solti/London Symphony (NOT the Chicago DDD recording) (available
> in a 2-disc set at mid-price, along with a wonderful reading of
> the 2nd from the same series -- both versions sound better to
> me than his later digital retreads.) Both on Decca.
>
> If DDD is essential, I hear the new Tennstedt on EMI is awesome.
> Haven't heard it yet myself, sad to say.
I have the EMI Tennstedt/CSO recording, and it IS an astounding recording. I
have heard the CSO perform this symphony three times, but did not hear the
concert that this recording comes from. Sound is very good, playing is up
to the usual CSO standards, and the interpretation is very different from
any other recording I have heard of this symphony, but it works.
>5th: Bernstein/Vienna on DG or Tennstedt/London on EMI. Accept no
> substitutes.
I still like the earlier Solti/CSO recording (circa 1968). The playing is as
close to perfect as you will ever hear.
>
>9th: Giulini/Chicago on DG (mid-price). I hear the later Bernstein
> is good. I don't get the big deal over the Karajan/DG.
The Giulini/CSO recording of Mahler 9 is a great analog recording of a
great performance and interpretation.
dba...@camins.camosun.bc.ca
> In article <1992Apr3.1...@visual.com> r...@visual.com (Rob Holzel) writes:
>>
>>> I was wondering what your opinions are as to which are the best versions of
>>> the various Mahler symphonys.
>>
>>1st: Solti/London Symphony (NOT the Chicago DDD recording) (available
>> in a 2-disc set at mid-price, along with a wonderful reading of
>> the 2nd from the same series -- both versions sound better to
>> me than his later digital retreads.) Both on Decca.
>>
>> If DDD is essential, I hear the new Tennstedt on EMI is awesome.
>> Haven't heard it yet myself, sad to say.
>
> I have the EMI Tennstedt/CSO recording, and it IS an astounding recording. I
> have heard the CSO perform this symphony three times, but did not hear the
> concert that this recording comes from. Sound is very good, playing is up
> to the usual CSO standards, and the interpretation is very different from
> any other recording I have heard of this symphony, but it works.
I agree that the Solti CSO is terrible. How about the Kubelik though? Listen
to the way the strings bounce out of the speakers at you during the closing
pages, NOBODY else has ever done this as well (he says, counting the 20 odd
versions in his collection). The Horenstein is also excellent.
>>5th: Bernstein/Vienna on DG or Tennstedt/London on EMI. Accept no
>> substitutes.
Barbirolli, EMI, except for the finale which is really too slow.
9th: Giulini/Chicago on DG (mid-price). I hear the later Bernstein
>> is good. I don't get the big deal over the Karajan/DG.
>
> The Giulini/CSO recording of Mahler 9 is a great analog recording of a
> great performance and interpretation.
I agree about the Karajan, the digital (CD) version is to my mind not as good
as the earlier analog (LP only) recording. You should definitely hear the
1938 VPO/Walter recording - the very first and a true classic. BUT the best
version I have EVER heard is on Music and Arts, the LSO conducted by Horenstein
live in London in 1966. I was at the performance and it was incredible. The sound
is less than perfect but the performance will bring tears to your eyes.
Deryk Barker
Computer Science Dept.
Camosun College,
Victoria, BC
Canada
Vladimir Kuznetsov
with New York Philarmonics from mid 60's. He was at peack of his
talent at that time and lucky to work with one of the best
orchestras in a world. The result is an incredible set of Mahler
symphonie's recordings.
If you really want to understand Mahler's music then this set is
a 'must'. But of course if tape hiss absence or "DDD" are of equal
importance than probably you should not listen Mahler symphonies at
all
Now, go and flame me, but at least try to listen these recordings.
vlad
--
Vladimir Kuznetsov (408)252-5455
Natural Intelligence Consulting vl...@netcom.COM
73437,33...@compuserve.com