The David Zinman Mahler Cycle

**Petrushka** · 09-01-11, 21:44

I have several Mahler cycles on my heaving shelves already as well as many individual recordings but have given this one a miss. Reviews of the early releases did not bode well so I decided not to investigate. However, I went to the Prom in 2009 where Zinman and his Zurich forces gave us a very fine Mahler 4 and have wondered since then whether it would be worth looking into this set after all. Comments on the old BBC boards about the disappointing 8th made me feel I'd made the right decision though I have to say that I haven't heard a note of any of them.

I'd be most interested in having your own comments,Alison, as well as those of anyone else who has this set.

**Curalach** · 09-01-11, 23:16

It is hard to understand the policy of the record company (RCA) with regard to the issue of this cycle in the UK.
Symphonies 1 to 8 were issued in SACD format but the recently issued Symphonies 9 and 10 were issued only in CD.
The rest of Europe got these in SACD so jpc came to the rescue.

**Mahlerei** · 09-01-11, 23:29

Alison

Not sure if I should join this thread. Oh what the heck.

No. 1: Didn't care for it at first but soon warmed to it. Fresh and engaging. Not a fan of the Blumine movement, but then one can skip it.
No. 2: i know Ed Seckerson dismissed this performance but I found it quite wonderful. Lucid, nicely paced, emphasis on detail and texture. Final movement makes a tremendous impression. IMHO a Resurrection that belongs near the top of the list. And then Jonathan Nott came along....
No. 3: Same freshness, same lightness of touch, but the long finale comes close to unravelling.
No. 4: Another goodie, altho' the soloist may sound a little too mature for some.
No. 5: Also very compelling, not as trenchant as some.
No. 6: A feeling that DZ is better in the so-called Wunderhorn symphonies, the darker Sixth not as wrenching as it can be.
No 7: Ditto. Now that lightness of touch does seem more of an issue.
No. 8: Biggest disappointment so far. Highly variable soloists and recording (the latter a surprise, as the others are very fine in their CD and SACD leyers). Horribly episodic and overdriven in the choral sections.
Nos 9 & 10: have the first (not auditioned yet) and awaiting for the second.

No one cycle is ideal in every way but I genuinely think Zinman's Mahler has a lot to offer in terms of transparency and detail. Some may feel that means cool - even a bit detached - but on the whole they are invigorating performances that are well worth hearing (yes, even the less convincing Nos. 6 and 7). Avoid No. 8 at all costs.

Over to you, Alison :)

**Mahlerei** · 09-01-11, 23:33

Originally posted by Curalach View Post

It is hard to understand the policy of the record company (RCA) with regard to the issue of this cycle in the UK.
Symphonies 1 to 8 were issued in SACD format but the recently issued Symphonies 9 and 10 were issued only in CD.
The rest of Europe got these in SACD so jpc came to the rescue.

Yes, very odd. But then Sony long since lost their nerve and failed to support SACD. Perhaps poor sales and a perceived lack of interest in SACD persuaded them to cut their losses. Also, they seem to have been beset by distribution problems.

**bemahler** · 10-01-11, 19:56

Mahler1

To all my follow Mahler MB members. Please please get hold of this amazing recording of his first symphony, sit back and enjoy, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck.

**Petrushka** · 10-01-11, 22:43

Originally posted by bemahler View Post

To all my follow Mahler MB members. Please please get hold of this amazing recording of his first symphony, sit back and enjoy, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck.

There is a tremendous Mahler 1 from Manfred Honeck (ex-VPO member btw) on a BBC Music Mag CD with the BBCSO. One of the best BBCMM discs issued.

**HighlandDougie** · 11-01-11, 09:35

I fully support Bemahler's recommendation - I bought it for the recording (SACD from the very productive Japanese label, Exton, who specialise in sometimes electrifyingly live recordings - Ashkenazy's Stockholm Sibelius for instance) but was then really impressed with the performance. Honeck is also the conductor of one of my favourite violin concerto recordings, Frank-Peter Zimmerman in the Britten. And, to continue the wandering off-topic but still with Mahler, the Markus Stenz Mahler 5 on Oehms is well worth a listen.

**Chris Newman** · 11-01-11, 11:50

I am sure that on the basis of Honeck's few appearances over the last few years with the BBCSO and BBCNOW he has been regularly approached by the Beeb with a view to becoming one of the chief conductors of an orchestra. Apparently apart from excellent results the orchestras love him: the same goes for Semyon Bychkov.

**Uncle Monty** · 11-01-11, 12:00

Like Petrushka, I have shelves heaving with Mahler, but no Zinman (yet). I have seen No 3 in Frome Library, so will investigate and report back!