The Best Mahler 3?

[richardfinegold]

I love the last movement. It's too short if you ask me!

Oliver, put your CDs away and don't listen to it for 3 or more years. Give your ears time to refresh.

[EdgeleyRob]

I love the last movement. It's too short if you ask me!

Oliver, put your CDs away and don't listen to it for 3 or more years. Give your ears time to refresh.

This evening I listened to Bernstein,NYPO (DG).
A wonderful Symphony for sure and probably once every couple of years is about right.
Still think it goes on just a tidgy bit,or is it just this version at about an hour and three quarters ?

[Oliver]

I agree with EdgeleyRob.I think the problem for me was that, between the ages of twelve and twenty, I listened to the Mahler symphonies obsessively. The Bernstein 3 was one of my favourites; perhaps I got to know it (and one performance) too well.
I'm not sure that the Nott performance was the correct choice when I decided to buy a new version a few months ago.

[Petrushka]

I've been listening to the Mahler symphonies obsessively for the past 40 years but in, say, the past decade I've tended to reduce it down somewhat and space them out. There are some versions I've not heard in a very long time. This combination of having lots of different recordings and spacing out the listening helps keep them fresh. It certainly works for me as I never tire of them.

Bruckner has now taken over as my current obsession!

[amateur51]

Is there a Dresden 3? I don't remember having seen it. The cheapo box set is with the Philharmonia. But there's a newly released live 3 from Sinopoli and the Stuttgart SWR which receives rave reviews from the usual suspects on Amazon.uk.

Has anyone mentioned Bychkov & WDR, on Avie? I remember it as being rather good: must try to listen again.

I mentioned Bychkov in #23 ostuni & I agree with you that it's rather good. How he has come on as a conductor over the years - I seem to remember that there were rumours that von Karajan had mentioned his name as his [HvK's] BPO successor and that it was regarded as a poisoned chalice.

[richardfinegold]

I am kind of amused by those that listen to this every 3 years or so. I think I probably average once every 3 weeks.

[HighlandDougie]

But there's a newly released live 3 from Sinopoli and the Stuttgart SWR which receives rave reviews from the usual suspects on Amazon.uk.

I've just received this live Sinopoli version (which makes the 23rd version I appear to possess). I used to have his Philharmonia version (burgled long ago) which I always liked: the new one is a bit slower (more expansive in the outer movements). It being live (taken from a series of concerts in 1996) gives it what I can only call presence (although I couldn't detect any audience noise). It's a work which Sinopoli clearly loved which is reflected in everyone seeming to give of their all. It's very well played and recorded, with fine singing from Waltraud Meier. In the wrong hands, the final movement can outstay its welcome but not here. In short, when we are faced with a glut of recordings of this and other Mahler symphonies, it is quite special.

[Suffolkcoastal]

I am kind of amused by those that listen to this every 3 years or so. I think I probably average once every 3 weeks.

Once every 30 years would be plenty enough for me or as a cure for insomnia.

[Black Swan]

Once every 30 years would be plenty enough for me or as a cure for insomnia.

Oh, Suffolkcoastal, you have always been my hero. But on this one, I can't agree with you.....

[Suffolkcoastal]

Sorry BS, a lot of Mahler makes me impatient, angry, claustrophobic and very depressed as well as totally and utterly bored, especially the 3rd and 8th symphonies. I'm ok with symphonies 1, 4, 6 & 9 and some of the songs which I don't mind, but the remaining symphonies and Das Lied I cannot get on with. There aren't too many composers that I have 'problems' with so that I have plenty to listen to.

[BBMmk2]

Musicans health warning!! Mahler can be quite addictive! If your ever concerned about this please become a member of for3.org!! :)

[Bryn]

The Nott SACDs of 3, 6 and 8 arrived in the post today (among far, far too many discs to list). I might just give 3 go tonight. Not in the mood for big band Brahms (if that's what is on offer on R3).

[Black Swan]

Suffolkcoastal,

No problem. I still respect you immensely for the knowledge you have. We all have our personal favorites or dislikes. I have alwasy been a Mahler fan which is fine by me. I do listen or like Shostakovitch and at 60 that isn't likely to change. Se we agree to disagree. And like you I have plenty of composers to listen occupy my time.

[Flosshilde]

Once every 30 years would be plenty enough for me or as a cure for insomnia.

You can't make comments like this, you know. Nogs castigated bbm for something similar on the 'BAL Marriage of Figaro' thread.

[Bryn]

So far (end of Part 1), I'd say Nott as good as I had hoped.