New Mahler releases

[Cellini]

OK, name me a conductor that isn't pushing up the daisies that you've had a good word for?

As I haven't been playing in orchestras for about 15 years and avoid it like the plague, I have no recent experience of living conductors. But I think Jansens is still around and I played for him a lot, and generally admired him. Also the late Charlie Mackerras. I've played for others who are still around and they vary (eg Tilson Thomas) from OK to others who are pretty poor. I won't go quite as far as to say that all the best conductors are dead ones ...

Look, I hold no brief for Rattle but the man has made some fine recordings over the years. During his tenure at Brum he made some excellent recordings of, primarily, early 20th centure repertoire. His discs of Stravinsky, Sibelius, Schoenberg etc evince an understanding of the structure of those scores which were matched by few other conductors, at that time. There is a fidelity to the composers which allows previously unheard details to make their mark. Moreover, he showed his mettle as an orchestra builder, taking a distinctly mediocre band which had been languishing in the second division of British orchestras, and put them on the world map.

Ok, he's not the world's greatest conductor of the classical, and early Romantic repertoire. In his earlier, less guarded, comments he admitted that this area of the repertory held little interest for him. Of course, as chief conductor of the BPO, he is expected to record these works as part of his and their legacy, but it is not his area of expertise; and he and they are probably on auto pilot when these works are performed in the concert hall, or in the studio.

From the recordings I've heard so far of Simon Rattle's (and I've by no means heard them all) I would say that I'm deeply unimpressed, but that's only my opinion, as indeed the musical respect you have for him is only your opinion. One can only say as one finds, and for me I'm afraid I would not be keen to go to one of his current London concerts. It's only fair to say though that I'm not really keen in going to anyone elses London or anywhere orchestral concerts. The only attraction for me would be an outstanding soloist, and the only conductor I've heard live recently (and that means at least five plus years ago) was Barenboim, and he was playing LvB concertos as well.

So opinions are split concerning many conductors, and not just SR. Personally I go to quite a few concerts, but they rarely involve conductors or orchestras.

[Panjandrum]

OK, name me a conductor that isn't pushing up the daisies that you've had a good word for?

the late Charlie Mackerras.

'Nuff said.

Jansens.

Mariss Janssons? Or have you still got Janine on your brain?

[amateur51]

Mariss Janssons? Or have you still got Janine on your brain?

Mariss Jansons, innit

Maris Piper's a potato

The things you learn on here

[Cellini]

Janine, more in the minds eye ... nice everthing ... sweet young lady ... musn't say more. Not a great fan of her fiddle playing though.

Then there's James Ehne .. don't really fancy him, BUT very fine playing, as I witnessed at the Wigmore 'all on Monday last. (With his fine pianist Andrew Armstrong). A live concert to equal the best, past and present.

[mathias broucek]

I'll never forget hearing Jansons with the BBC Welsh. A pretty good orchestra in any case, but he made them sound like the BPO.

[Cellini]

I'll never forget hearing Jansons with the BBC Welsh. A pretty good orchestra in any case, but he made them sound like the BPO.

Well, I would have taken part in a lot of those concerts, but I can't say I noticed them sounding like the BPO. (Unless you mean the Bombay Symphony Orchestra).

[PJPJ]

A forthcoming release from DG:

following on the discussion on DLvdE/NYPO/Walter, here's Wunderlich/FD/VSO/Krips

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/DG/4778988

Many will have the off-air Forrester/Lewis/Szell and Baker/Lewis/Szell recordings which have been floating around the net for some time - well worth tracking down and hearing.

[Alison]

Ive finally given the Jurowski Resurrec tion a spin.

Absolutely first class. Superb pacing in the first movement. Suspicions of an overly
intellectual approach are well dashed by the third movement: excitement aplenty.

A fascinating viewe of (ii), slow and measured. I normally think I prefer something sweeter and more
succulent.

I could hardly believe that the finale had arrived, such had been my absorption in the music.

Maybe the very ending wasnt quite as overwhelming as one had hoped though even there
I simply couldnt take it all in on first listening. Superb percussion throughout and especially in the
closing mesaures ! Wow !

I havent read the reviews yet, knowing that the disc had arrived in the post. I just know from the
Gramophone 'headline' that Seckers considers this the version he has long awaited.

I will read them now and in the meanwhile can't imagine what our Mahlerei objects to so much !

A few more verdicts from you little lot on this very exciting release would be much appreciated.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I haven't heard it, Alison, but Nigel Simeone in IRR gives it a warmish welcome, not as ecstatic as Seckerson, finding the finale the least successful part of the recording.

[Alison]

Yes, I have read Nigel Simeone now and would say his is a pretty fair review.

I wouldnt rate Abbado higher than Jurowksi here though and the LPO playing

is absolutely enthralling. I will try the whole work again and, half knowing what to expect,

fancy the pacing of the finale can really work. It's a shame that one idiot comes in prematurely with his Bravo!

[Mahlerei]

Glad you like it, Alison. Always good to see a positive reaction, even if I can't share it.

Yes, that 'Bravo' really takes the cake, doesn't it?

i have the Stenz/Gurzenich 'Resurrection' for review. His Mahler 4 was quite well received.

Technically Wit's Mahler 8 isn't new, but the Blu-ray version is. Excellent in every way, IMO.

[Alison]

What is it with the Jurowski then, Dan ?

I found it very compelling, no playing to the gallery a la Rattle.

Insufficiently viennese ? Too serious ? Too unemotional ??

[Mahlerei]

Alison

There wasn't much I did like; pace, phrasing, structural issues. Singing pretty good though. In a crowded field Jurowski doesn't strike me as anything special, I'm afraid.

[Alison]

Well, for a supposed best ever Resurrection, there hasn't been much of a ripple around these parts.

For me its a three star Penguin Guide rating without a rosette !

[Mahlerei]

This DKW and Mahler 10 Adagio from Boulez looks interesting:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Pierre-Wunderhorn-Symphony-Blu-ray/dp/B004T6AC6I/ref=pd_ys_qtk_rnr?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3L4FHEGV6D2AS&colid=3LHWJPFAIA5M1&pf_rd_p=218277391&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=home&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1CS933T87694QH9KM4WA