BaL 19.03.11 Mahler Symphony no. 10

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Indeed not. Something of a suprise, that. Not on CFP any more and not even on HMV Classics, it would appear. It can, however, be purchased as a download (at a somewhat inflated price where amazon.co.uk is concerned), from various vendors, so I think it might just get a mention in passing.

How does the Bournemouth Rattle version compare with his Berlin performance? The latter is my only "complete" version of this symphony.

[Bryn]

How does the Bournemouth Rattle version compare with his Berlin performance? The latter is my only "complete" version of this symphony.

I have never been much taken with either of the Rattle recordings of Cooke et al performing versions, and have not listened to them for quite a while, so will leave it to others to comment on their relative merits. I know some very much prefer the approach taken in Bournemouth recording, but that may well be down to familiarity.

[Tapiola]

I am very much looking forward to this BAL. Having lived with the Morris recording on lp for many years and having performed the Cooke 2 (with Goldschmidt and Matthews) version maybe 15 years ago, I recently acquired the Barshai version. Tony Duggan's Musicweb review of this last-named is very interesting.

And I agree with Bryn about the Rattle, at least in his first recording, which I do not own but have heard a few times. I do not know Rattle's second.

[Alison]

Stephen Johnson. That's better.

In any case Secko wouldn't be able to follow his familiar NOT PASSIONATE ENOUGH THEREFORE GO FOR THE INCOMPARABLE BERNSTEIN
template this time.

[BBMmk2]

How does the Bournemouth Rattle version compare with his Berlin performance? The latter is my only "complete" version of this symphony.

I reckon the Berlin recording far outways the Bournemouth.Alkthough, with memories of the old messageboards, I think there was a discussion about this and therre were a view differences of opinion, naturally!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I reckon the Berlin recording far outways the Bournemouth.Alkthough, with memories of the old messageboards, I think there was a discussion about this and therre were a view differences of opinion, naturally!

Now that you mention it, I think I recall that discussion.

[Chris__C]

You can still get Rattle's original recording with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (e.g. here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...0007276&sr=8-4 or as a download: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...0007276&sr=8-4).


Chris
PS NYO are playing it in April (Gateshead and RFH).

[Petrushka]

The VPO/Harding recording is superb - how couldn't it be with that orchestra? - but the one that for me packs a real emotional clout is the recording from Kurt Sanderling and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. The rather close miking gives it even more punch and it's a pity this one will probably be overlooked in favour of more suave readings. I know that some don't care for Chailly's way with those notorious drum thwacks in the finale but his Prom performance with the Leipzig Gewandhaus a couple of years ago was one if the most moving Proms I've attended.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The VPO/Harding recording is superb - how couldn't it be with that orchestra?

Even recordings with the VPO can be less than top drawer. I shudder every time I hear the DG Karajan Turandot; Frau Alpensinfonie thought there was something wrong with the CD and that I should take it back to the shop.

[Petrushka]

Even recordings with the VPO can be less than top drawer. I shudder every time I hear the DG Karajan Turandot; Frau Alpensinfonie thought there was something wrong with the CD and that I should take it back to the shop.

What was wrong with it? Was it more the engineering than any deficiency in the playing? Of course the VPO can produce a duff recording but the Harding Mahler 10 isn't one if them.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There are indeed deficiencies in the recording, but it's more serious when the likes of Domingo and the VPO are not being held together by Karajan. One wuld expect a big-name recording like this to be technically and musically stunning. It is far from that. Sample Nessun Dorma - with which you'd think they would have made a bit more effort.

[Alf-Prufrock]

Barshai

I do hope the Barshai is given a fair hearing. It is his own version, but I cannot think of any reason to doubt its worth. There is a quite remarkable electricity running through the performance, I think.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This could be one of the most interesting BALs in recent times.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm pleased to see that this BaL is longer than usual - 70 minutes according to the Radio Times.

[amateur51]

I'm very much looking forward to this BAL and I'm so pleased that Stephen Johnson is doing it and not Edward Seckerson.

In the recent BAL about Mahler releases Seckerson was given the platform to broadcast his thoughts. Fair enough, I found them a bit dodgy but the man has to make a living.

But imagine my horror on opening the March 2011 Gramophone to find that the reviewer of the new Rattle Mahler Symphony no 2 and the Saraste Mahler symphony no 9 was ... Edward Seckerson. A little diversity is a lovesome thing, please

For information, there is an extended review of the available (at that time) versions of Mahler's symphony no 10 in the December 2010 issue of Gramophone by David Gutman. It contains a short but interesting history of the several versions of the various completions. I am not knowledgable enough to know if it is complete but I am sure that more knowledgeable heads such as Bryn will advise if there are major errors or omissions.

In the immortal words of Delia Smith: "Let's Be 'Avin' You!!"