Mahler 7

[pastoralguy]

Baffling review of the Testament Gielen by Peter Quantrill in the September Gramophone. If anybody can explain to me what he's saying and whether he's actually recommending it I should be grateful. But perhaps it's not worth bothering.

Yes. I thought so to. Bearing in mind it covers two recordings it's such a short review I don't know why he/they bothered.

[Nick Armstrong]

Baffling review of the Testament Gielen by Peter Quantrill in the September Gramophone. If anybody can explain to me what he's saying and whether he's actually recommending it I should be grateful. But perhaps it's not worth bothering.

I looked for that issue on the way home yesterday, didn't find it in the usual places. Did it come out this week? I'll read with suitable puzzlement...

[Nachtigall]

I looked for that issue on the way home yesterday, didn't find it in the usual places. Did it come out this week? I'll read with suitable puzzlement...

Came in the post today, Caliban, so I guess it won't be on general sale until the end of this week or beginning of next. I think Seckerson or David Gutman might have given a more detailed and informative response (though I know some don't care for the former).

[HighlandDougie]

I suddenly noticed that I was clutching a copy of Klemperer's Act 1 of Die Walkure with Helga Dernesch. No doubt the person in Germany for whom it was intended now has my Mahler 7th. Grrr!

New copy of the Gielen "in the post". Testament, as "a gesture of goodwill", doesn't want SBT 1205 back (they must be coining it after Caliban's lauding of the Gielen). I really don't want it so, if any boarder would like a free, gratis and for nothing sealed copy of Klemperer conducting William Cochran, Helga Dernesch and Hans Sotin in Act 1 of Die Walküre, p.m. me your address and I'll send you it.

[Alison]

Baffling review of the Testament Gielen by Peter Quantrill in the September Gramophone. If anybody can explain to me what he's saying and whether he's actually recommending it I should be grateful. But perhaps it's not worth bothering.

This doesn't sound like Peter at all

[LaurieWatt]

Bloody hell

ah, but mine arrived safely yesterday and thrilled me today!

[PJPJ]

Came in the post today, Caliban, so I guess it won't be on general sale until the end of this week or beginning of next. I think Seckerson or David Gutman might have given a more detailed and informative response (though I know some don't care for the former).

Gramophone had arrived in the shop in deepest Hants before arriving in the post, most annoying as I now have two copies.

I liked the reference about the final movement having Austrian "extreme indifference". PQ seemed to me to be very impressed with Gielen's recording.

[Nachtigall]

I liked the reference about the final movement having Austrian "extreme indifference". PQ seemed to me to be very impressed with Gielen's recording.

Perhaps I'm being obtuse but I'm afraid that's a reference the significance of which eludes me. Indifference seems to me the very opposite of the quality which Gielen brings to the symphony. PQ also describes the recording as "decently taped". It's a darn sight more than that! I found it astonishingly vivid and wholly engrossing. Anyway, thanks to Caliban, it goes straight to the top of my list.

[Barbirollians]

A good review in IRR as well today.

[Bryn]

A good review in IRR as well today.

Who by (I have let me subscription lapse)?

[Barbirollians]

Who by (I have let me subscription lapse)?

Mr by the Second - Richard Whitehouse, so perhaps not the most persuasive.

[Exonian]

Abbado with the CSO on DG was the first recording that persuaded me that this perhaps most forlorn and unloved of Mahler's symphonic children. Then I got hold of the Kubelik box set on DG with the Bavarian RSO and think it is as good as any. Both these are fantastic versions. Kubelik also had a live recording with the NYPO (which is on that orchestra's Mahler box set) from 1981 which is apparently superb but not without its detractors. He also recorded again live and again with the Bavarian RSO in 1976 which again I've never heard.

I do have the Horenstein from 1969 on an old Intaglio cd and some of it is thrilling while other parts seem to lag a bit (those timing issues again?).

I would also perhaps submit a couple more I do like and listen to repeatedly : Kirill Kondrashin and the Concertgebouw in a live recording from 1979 which is on the Tahra cd label. The finale is amazing, Kondrashin seems to get this rollercoaster ride of a movement just right - exhilarating. The other is from Gary Bertini with the Cologne RSO on EMI from 1991. Another underrated Mahlerian who eschewed the grand gestures and played the music as something to be communicated and enjoyed. Some may find the tempi a touch smooth, but Bertini brings out those great long singing melodic lines as well as anyone and his orchestra seems to me to be of a very high quality ; conductor and band display more music less ego than other 'names'.

[Barbirollians]

The DG Bernstein and the BBC Legends Barbirolli are my favourites - the latter rough in places but extraordinarily convincing.

[richardfinegold]

Abbado with the CSO on DG was the first recording that persuaded me that this perhaps most forlorn and unloved of Mahler's symphonic children. Then I got hold of the Kubelik box set on DG with the Bavarian RSO and think it is as good as any. Both these are fantastic versions. Kubelik also had a live recording with the NYPO (which is on that orchestra's Mahler box set) from 1981 which is apparently superb but not without its detractors. He also recorded again live and again with the Bavarian RSO in 1976 which again I've never heard.

I do have the Horenstein from 1969 on an old Intaglio cd and some of it is thrilling while other parts seem to lag a bit (those timing issues again?).

I would also perhaps submit a couple more I do like and listen to repeatedly : Kirill Kondrashin and the Concertgebouw in a live recording from 1979 which is on the Tahra cd label. The finale is amazing, Kondrashin seems to get this rollercoaster ride of a movement just right - exhilarating. The other is from Gary Bertini with the Cologne RSO on EMI from 1991. Another underrated Mahlerian who eschewed the grand gestures and played the music as something to be communicated and enjoyed. Some may find the tempi a touch smooth, but Bertini brings out those great long singing melodic lines as well as anyone and his orchestra seems to me to be of a very high quality ; conductor and band display more music less ego than other 'names'.

I heard Bertini conduct some Mahler in Detroit and was favorably impressed. I was just discovering the composer at the time but his performance of the 5th made opened my eyes as to what a great work it was; till then I just thought it was famous for the Adagietto.

[Barbirollians]

I found Quantrill's review rather impenetrable and far foo short . I picked up a copy of Gramophone at the station to read on the train journey and any recent improvement seems to have plateaued.