Maazel on record

[DublinJimbo]

I'm another who loves the Maazel/VPO Mahler No.4 (even more than Szell).

That's praise indeed. Szell has hung in there as my favourite in No. 4, only recently supplanted by Fischer and his wonderful Budapest orchestra. I've never much cared for Maazel, but the consensus here prompts me to dig out his 4th and give it a go.

[Petrushka]

I'd warmly endorse the praise for the Cleveland Romeo and Juliet, it's probably the best recording Maazel has given us. The VPO Mahler 1 & 4 are also up there with the best while his early VPO Sibelius cycle remains a great set.

Puzzling that he has handed down so little else of equal rank.

[Nick Armstrong]

There's his disc of Ravel Piano Concertos with Jean-Phillippe Collard

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I agree - I'd forgotten this disc when I put together my "list".

[akiralx]

Other good Maazel more recent recordings:

The Sony recording of the Respighi Roman Trilogy with the Pittsburgh SO
The NYPO live Richard Strauss CD on DG Concerts

[Stanfordian]

I'd warmly endorse the praise for the Cleveland Romeo and Juliet, it's probably the best recording Maazel has given us. The VPO Mahler 1 & 4 are also up there with the best while his early VPO Sibelius cycle remains a great set.

Puzzling that he has handed down so little else of equal rank.

Hiya Petrushka, I also endorse the praise for the Cleveland Romeo and Juliet.

[DublinJimbo]

Back again, having listened to Maazel's VPO recording of Mahler 4.

I'm pleased to say that the recommendations here are fully justified. This is a glorious performance. Maazel's pacing is utterly convincing in every movement, the orchestral detail is astonishing, the VPO play superbly, and Kathleen Battle is ideal in the final movement (the final stanza is heart-rending in every way).

So, thanks to everyone who recommended this. It's a version which I will treasure from now on (and yes, it really is better than Szell — and better than Fischer also).

[richardfinegold]

Prompted by the reissue of some of his Cleveland material referred to on the Bargains Thread, I wonder what people's experiences of Maazel's recordings are.

I have some of his early-ish stuff with BPO and VPO on DG and Decca respectively and it's pretty good.

I have very few of his more recent recordings, just his BRSO Richard Strauss which I rather enjoyed - not least because both orchestra and sound are both excellent.

The British press has generally been rude about his time in Cleveland (and his work since) period and I once heard some rather dull Mahler with the VPO.

Any thoughts?

He isn't my "Go To" Conductor for many pieces. One exception is the Telarc/Cleveland Pictures At An Exhibition, which is both a great performance and still stands up well as a Sonic Spectacular. I used to own most of the Mahler cycle, which I had acquired at a fire sale price. I remember liking the Third and not much else. His Cleveland Prokofiev Romeo was pretty good although I haven't listened to it in years.

[remdataram]

Back again, having listened to Maazel's VPO recording of Mahler 4.

I'm pleased to say that the recommendations here are fully justified. This is a glorious performance. Maazel's pacing is utterly convincing in every movement, the orchestral detail is astonishing, the VPO play superbly, and Kathleen Battle is ideal in the final movement (the final stanza is heart-rending in every way).

So, thanks to everyone who recommended this. It's a version which I will treasure from now on (and yes, it really is better than Szell — and better than Fischer also).

I'm so glad you really enjoyed it. It was only last year that I 're-discovered' this recording that had be neglected in favour of Szell along with the Abbado Luzern performance. It's hard to put into words the emotion felt as Maazel's performance unfolded, and, as you comment, with such detail. A desert island recording.

[Nick Armstrong]

Back again, having listened to Maazel's VPO recording of Mahler 4.

I'm pleased to say that the recommendations here are fully justified. This is a glorious performance. Maazel's pacing is utterly convincing in every movement, the orchestral detail is astonishing, the VPO play superbly, and Kathleen Battle is ideal in the final movement (the final stanza is heart-rending in every way).

So, thanks to everyone who recommended this. It's a version which I will treasure from now on (and yes, it really is better than Szell — and better than Fischer also).

Ah yes! I've had this for years, a treat isn't it!

[Parry1912]

Ah yes! I've had this for years, a treat isn't it!

[Barbirollians]

Another vote for that utterly magnificent Mahler 4 - it was the recording that opened the door to his symphonies and together with Ferrier /Walter to his entire oeuvre.

I still have a very vivid memory of the first time I heard it - on tape just after Boris Becker won Wimbledon on a sunny day in 1985 .

[Don Petter]

His recording of Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet are wonderful

And l'Heure Espagnole.

[Petrushka]

Another vote for that utterly magnificent Mahler 4 - it was the recording that opened the door to his symphonies and together with Ferrier /Walter to his entire oeuvre.

I still have a very vivid memory of the first time I heard it - on tape just after Boris Becker won Wimbledon on a sunny day in 1985 .

Maazel's VPO Mahler 1 isn't to be dismissed either. In fact, it's pretty good and this and the excellent 4th are the best of his cycle.

I see that a new box is due out of the recent RFH Philharmonia Mahler 1, 2 & 3 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Symph...I11VE7U0R6MQDT

Any comment from those who attended the performances?

[Barbirollians]

I never acquired any of his other VPO cycle . I think Gramophone didn't like it and tended to do what i was told in those days .

I have bought many a Mahler 4 since - and for all the merits of Szell, Barbirolli, Reiner ,the bracing live Britten, Horenstein , the underrated Gatti version and perhaps most of all the Emmy Loose/Kletzki it remains my favourite .

Lenny's boy soloist version and Fleming/Abbado being the two which though excellent in parts that do not quite come off .