Maazel's Vienna Mahler Cycle on CBS (Sony)

[cloughie]

I know nothing about that set. It can (or could) be quite cheaply had, via the usual sources.

A superficial point but I think the presentation of his more recent set leaves a lot to be desired. Those covers look dull and uniform, compared to the magnificent coloured period picutures of Viennese locations that adorn the Sony covers.

Yes but you don't play the covers!

I have 1-6 on a mix of downloads and CDs. Whilst Imwould not say they top the list of all time Mahler recordings they areca good epitaph to Maazel.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Complete-Symphonies-Philharmonia-Orchestra/dp/B06WGNF4CT

All except for no. 10

[Conchis]

Yes but you don't play the covers!

I'm a recent convert to the importance of cover art. If you like the recording, a great cover is the cherry on top - it becomes an object d'art, something you can admire when you're listening to the discs, or as you pause in reading the liner notes. Or you can just admire it on your shelf. To a neophyte, cover art can play an important role in drawing someone in, to explore unheard music (this has long been acknowleged as working with rock albums but I think it works with other stuff, too).

[Alison]

Thanks Alpie, quite tempting I must say.

[Stanley Stewart]

I have fond memories of attending the Philharmonia's/Maazel, Mahler cycle at the RFH &
Royal Albert Hall, circa 1979/80 - must dig out the programmes.

[LaurieWatt]

I have fond memories of attending the Philharmonia's/Maazel, Mahler cycle at the RFH &
Royal Albert Hall, circa 1979/80 - must dig out the programmes.

I am fairly sure it was in 1978 from the RAH. I heard it on R3. It was a very fine broadcast and have a wonderful recording of it, now preserved on CDR but I did not pit the exact date on it!

[Petrushka]

I am fairly sure it was in 1978 from the RAH. I heard it on R3. It was a very fine broadcast and have a wonderful recording of it, now preserved on CDR but I did not pit the exact date on it!

Once again the BBC Genome is your friend. The Maazel cycle would appear to have been given during the 1978/1979 season with the 7th broadcast on Nov 12 1978, the 'Resurrection' on June 3 1979 and the 8th on June 17 1979 http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/...00%3A00#search

I didn't attend any of that cycle, alas, as I was more into Abbado, Haitink and Tennstedt in Mahler in those days as now. Moreover, June 1979 seems to have been a particularly good month in London as I'd saved up all my pennies to attend the Karajan/BPO Bruckner 8 on June 19. Great days indeed!

[Barbirollians]

This BBC Genome is both fascinating and depressing - for example to read that an Interpretations on Record I remember very clearly on Mahler 6 with Richard Osborne was broadcast in December 1986 !

[Cockney Sparrow]

"Once again the BBC Genome is your friend. The Maazel cycle would appear to have been given during the 1978/1979 season with the 7th broadcast on Nov 12 1978, the 'Resurrection' on June 3 1979 and the 8th on June 17 1979 http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/...00%3A00#search"

I was present at the 8th. I recall I had a strong urge to leave the RAH at the interval (only constrained because I was with a family group). The first part was pulled about to such an extent, I really didn't want to hear what would be done to the second part. My least favourite live performance. Rather set my approach to Maazel and his music making - leave it for others, but not for me.

I appreciate though the views and recommendation of other forum members as to his various recordings - I might see how they sound on the streaming services (Naxos Music Library, etc). It does seem that he made some notable recordings....

[Conchis]

This BBC Genome is both fascinating and depressing - for example to read that an Interpretations on Record I remember very clearly on Mahler 6 with Richard Osborne was broadcast in December 1986 !

Back in those days, I remember Richard Osborne's doleful tones were enough to send me scampering to another channel - he seemed to me to bear out all my preconceptions about classical music radio presenters being dark and forbidding.

Of course, I later saw the light. I wish he was still presenting regularly on R3 today.

[mahlerei]

Did anyone try the much more recent Philharmonia cycle?

TBH I’m not sure if it’s a complete set

These must be among the maestro’s last recordings.

Hi Ali

I reviewed two of the three boxes. Wildly inconsistent, but some pleasant surprises.

[richardfinegold]

Hi Ali

. Wildly inconsistent, but some pleasant surprises.

That would be a fitting epitaph for Maazel’s career

[Conchis]

That would be a fitting epitaph for Maazel’s career

Wasn't the world's highest-paid conductor at the time of his death? Reportedly, the highest paid conductor in musical history?

His reviews didn't seem to have a consistent bearing on his fees!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Wasn't the world's highest-paid conductor at the time of his death? Reportedly, the highest paid conductor in musical history?

Well, with constant inflation, the two do go together.

I haven't yet forgiven him for his 70+ minutes Alpine Symphony with the Philharmonia.

[cloughie]

Hi Ali

I reviewed two of the three boxes. Wildly inconsistent, but some pleasant surprises.

Probably the direct opposite of Uncle Bernie, who is probably very reliable and consistent but with very few surprises!