New Mahler releases

[Alison]

Also

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Various-Festival-Passacaglia-Variations-Rossignol/dp/B004YHBACC/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311143558&sr=1-2

[Mahlerei]

Anyone here heard the DTS Master Surround layer of the Wit Mahler 8 (Blu-ray)? I'm told the surround layer is an unmitigated disaster but as I don't have MCH equipment I can't verify that.

TIA.

[PJPJ]

Bob Benson at classicalcdreview.com thinks it's excellent - perhaps the surround component didn't appeal to your source as from Bob's review it seems to be very much surround with musicians all round the listener.

http://www.classicalcdreview.com/MC350.html

[HighlandDougie]

Presumably the Boulez Blu-ray disc performances are similar (if not the same) as on the DG CD? I thought that the recent BAL on DKW got it about right - the singing of Gerhaher is consistently excellent, while that of Kozena is not quite in the same league and Boulez can at times sound a bit perfunctory. Still, I have much enjoyed it since it was issued, especially for Gerhaher, surely among the best Mahler baritones around at the moment. Thanks also to Alison - bank balance reduced yet again.

[Mahlerei]

H

Yes, I also wondered whether the BD and CD were the same. I find Kozena somewhat cool at times but Gerhaher is generally very good. In the flesh Kozena is inclined to gurn, which is a bit distracting to watch.

[Bryn]

Anyone here heard the DTS Master Surround layer of the Wit Mahler 8 (Blu-ray)? I'm told the surround layer is an unmitigated disaster but as I don't have MCH equipment I can't verify that.

TIA.

There are aspects to it which sound to me as if they might have been created with digital delays, etc. The celesta twiddles leading up to the final coruscation, for instance. Switching between LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 5.1 the instrument loses clarity and focus. There are other similar aspects where the soloists are concerned. Of course, it may simply be the result of the different mix, rather than any delay line fiddling, but I tend to prefer the LPCM 2.0 option, on the whole.

[Mahlerei]

Thanks Bryn. pretty much in line with what my source has said. the stereo layer is superb, though.

[Mahlerei]

More from Abbado:

http://www3.euroarts.com/artikel/boxes/news/

[Petrushka]

I bought the Jurowski Resurrection while down in London last weekend (from Foyles excellent classical section on the 3rd floor - HMV didn't have it) but have yet to hear it. Will report back.

[Nick Armstrong]

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.

Well the extract played this morning finally nudged me to buy this. It's so strange - I was in the hall for the performance (sitting just the other side of the aisle from Mr Seckerson, in fact) - it was very good, but sounded better hearing it this morning (mind you, the same could probably be said of the Sibelius 7 at the Proms this week: it sounded a much better performance through the microphones than when I heard it in the hall).

The scherzo sounded ... well, just perfect - as ES says, as one has longed to hear it, especially the natural rhythm and emphasis, giving it new life. Shall look forward to hearing the whole thing....

[amateur51]

Well the extract played this morning finally nudged me to buy this. It's so strange - I was in the hall for the performance (sitting just the other side of the aisle from Mr Seckerson, in fact) - it was very good, but sounded better hearing it this morning (mind you, the same could probably be said of the Sibelius 7 at the Proms this week: it sounded a much better performance through the microphones than when I heard it in the hall).

The scherzo sounded ... well, just perfect - as ES says, as one has longed to hear it, especially the natural rhythm and emphasis, giving it new life. Shall look forward to hearing the whole thing....

Last time I looked, the whole bang-shoot is available to listen to, free, on Spotify!

[Alison]

I'm a bit surprised you didnt rush out and get the LPO disc immediately upon release, Calers,
though you have explained that.

Give us your full verdict in due course. And you, Petrushka, please. No visit to Foyles for many
a year and sounds as if i could be in for a pleasant surprise.

As for the Mahler Thirds today, I hardly need a new one but feel moved to investigate the
Jansons. It sounded much more engaging than Nott to me, for all the excellent bells in that
version. I am just adding a new sub woofer to my system and will make the Concertgebouw Live
SACD my first audition.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I left CD Review before the Mahler segment this morning, so need to catch up later to hear the Jurowski 2. Alison, I think you'll be impressed with Jansons' No.3, which is firmly in the Concertgebouw tradition.

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm a bit surprised you didnt rush out and get the LPO disc immediately upon release, Calers,
though you have explained that.

Give us your full verdict in due course.

Will do, Alison.

I've been rather out of the loop for the last couple of months, I only recently connected with the fact that it had come out. Also I do try and exercise restraint these days - do I really need another X, Y or Z... ?!

But now I'm impatient!!

[Alison]

Actually I dont think you ever fed back on Ravel/Bavouzet some while ago .....

Still, I forgive you.