Gergiev's Mahler

[Barbirollians]

Driving home late last evening and with only some rubbish on Radio 3 I switched over to Classic FM and was unfortunate enough to hear the finale of Mahler 5 conducted by Gergiev.

I hated it - sounded like a parody of Mahler rather than the Fifth itself . Anyone like his interpretations.

I was compelled to put Barbirolli's recording on when I got home to clear my ears!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I find them rather brutal at times. His highly praised VPO recordings of Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky are incisive, but hard-driven.

[Mr Pee]

I bought the CDs of his VPO Tchaikovsky and was remarkably unimpressed- I don't think I've ever heard the "Pathetique" sound less involving. There was a fairly swift trip to my local second hand CD emporium to trade them in. My favourite recording of 4-6 now is Pappano with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra. No comparison!

One other thing about Gergiev- whenever I watch him conduct, I find myself asking how any of the musicians can follow him- I can't make out what on earth he's doing with his hands most of the time.

[Petrushka]

Driving home late last evening and with only some rubbish on Radio 3 I switched over to Classic FM and was unfortunate enough to hear the finale of Mahler 5 conducted by Gergiev.

I hated it - sounded like a parody of Mahler rather than the Fifth itself . Anyone like his interpretations.

I was compelled to put Barbirolli's recording on when I got home to clear my ears!

I absolutely loved his Prom performance of the 5th last season but as some may recall from another thread, I found this LSO 5th extremely disappointing mostly for the poor recorded sound. As the LSO account was set down after the Prom I'm puzzled by this contrast and wonder if the ropey engineering is having an adverse effect on the interpretation.

Of Gergiev's cycle that I have heard, I find that 6 & 7 suit his style and temperament best, the 7th in particular is as good as any on the market.

[Barbirollians]

Interesting - it sounded garbled to me . It could have been the sound but I always almost thinking - is this Mahler 5 or some new piece based on it !

[Petrushka]

Interesting - it sounded garbled to me . It could have been the sound but I always almost thinking - is this Mahler 5 or some new piece based on it !

My issue with the sound of this Mahler 5 was centred mostly on the very poor balance of the strings relative to the rest. As I pointed out previously, Bernard Haitink is most insistent that the strings should always be heard in Mahler even at the loudest climaxes. The failure of the LSO Live recording team to reproduce the right balance which I feel sure Gergiev achieved in concert would be enough to make the result sound as you describe.

I haven't heard it since my initial audition but I still think this is the worst Mahler 5 I've ever heard.

[remdataram]

I saw Gergiev conduct Mahler's Resurrection, at the Barbican two or three years ago.

Hard to describe, I liked his tempii, but felt detached from the spirit of Mahler. I know Gergiev is much admired and very hard working, but I doubt if he will be remembered as a Mahler man.

Many, many years ago (late 60's?) I went to the RFH to hear my (then) hero, Solti, conduct the Resurrection. Imagine my disappointment to learn that Solti was 'indisposed' to be replaced by some young Italian called Claudio Abbado - it was the best concert I've ever attended!

[barber olly]

I saw Gergiev conduct Mahler's Resurrection, at the Barbican two or three years ago.

Hard to describe, I liked his tempii, but felt detached from the spirit of Mahler. I know Gergiev is much admired and very hard working, but I doubt if he will be remembered as a Mahler man.

Many, many years ago (late 60's?) I went to the RFH to hear my (then) hero, Solti, conduct the Resurrection. Imagine my disappointment to learn that Solti was 'indisposed' to be replaced by some young Italian called Claudio Abbado - it was the best concert I've ever attended!

I suspect like many others that I admire Gergiev in many of his interpretations, but cannot see where he's to in Mahler. In charge of a London orchestra he should be embracing British composers, but on the evidence of his Mahler, what would he do to Elgar symphonies or The Planets. However on the evidence of his Debussy, maybe he'd do a good Job or other RVW.

[barber olly]

I saw Gergiev conduct Mahler's Resurrection, at the Barbican two or three years ago.

Hard to describe, I liked his tempii, but felt detached from the spirit of Mahler. I know Gergiev is much admired and very hard working, but I doubt if he will be remembered as a Mahler man.

Many, many years ago (late 60's?) I went to the RFH to hear my (then) hero, Solti, conduct the Resurrection. Imagine my disappointment to learn that Solti was 'indisposed' to be replaced by some young Italian called Claudio Abbado - it was the best concert I've ever attended!

If Gergiev with the LSO was indisposed for Shostakovich 8, who would you want to step up to the podium?

[Curalach]

If Gergiev with the LSO was indisposed for Shostakovich 8, who would you want to step up to the podium?

Alexander Lazarev.

[amateur51]

If Gergiev with the LSO was indisposed for Shostakovich 8, who would you want to step up to the podium?

Gunther Herbig

[Barbirollians]

Previn of course !

[Mr Pee]

Alexander Lazarev.

Petrenko.

[pastoralguy]

Neemi Jarvi.

[Bryn]

If Gergiev with the LSO was indisposed for Shostakovich 8, who would you want to step up to the podium?

Mark Wigglesworth, but that might mean Gergiev not being called back.