BaL 3.03.18 - Mahler: Symphony no. 7

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 23-02-18, 23:51

Many thanks, as usual, Alpie.

There are two different Bernstein/NYPO recordings - for CBS/SONY from the '60s, and for DG from the '80s.

My own favourites - Gielen/BPO; Horenstein/NewPO (NLEA); Boulez/Cleveland; Bernstein/NYPO (SONY) with Gielen getting my rosette.

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 23-02-18, 23:55

Hold on! There's a Furtwangler recording???!!!

Where? Where?? Where???

**Beef Oven!** · 24-02-18, 00:04

Echoing ferney's appreciation, many thanks to Alpie for doing all this work for us.

I shan't comment on the obvious non-starters (although I relish the commentary on Klemperer's 4 hour performance of this symphony!)

Got know eye dear about what will be the recommendation, but my faves* are (based on the last 4 months of listening only!) Claudio Chicago DG, Claudio BPO DG and my rosette is for Boulez Cleveland DG.

*plus Klemperer's - I love it (Richard Barrett gave up the will to live on it, IIRC and even Petrushka surrendered!).

**Beef Oven!** · 24-02-18, 00:44

Abbado Chicago DG was the first recording of M7 that I bought circa 1990 (?) If this is the only recording you have, you really don't have a problem at all.

The later BPO Abbado brings a slither of refinement, but nothing else, IMV. There is some raspy, earthy music that the earlier pformance has in spades that is missing in the BPO performance. But still, Claudio's BPO DG is top-notch stuff.

It's not possible for me to explain how Boulez captures the essence of this type of music so seemingly effortlessly. One could argue that this sort of symphony is tailor-made for him.

Regarding that loooong Klemperer - persevere, there's so much analytical detail from bar to bar. IMV, it's indispensable.

**Alison** · 24-02-18, 09:29

The first movement 'beyond hope'?? Who said??

Ive been knocked sideways by (i) especially in the concert hall.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 24-02-18, 09:41

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

Hold on! There's a Furtwangler recording???!!!

Where? Where?? Where???

Did I say that?

It appears that I did.

I shall amend.

**Petrushka** · 24-02-18, 09:54

So many versions, so little time. My very first Mahler 7 on disc was Solti/Chicago SO followed by Haitink/Concertgebouw both purchased in 1976. Quite why this earlier Haitink set has never been issued as a separate CD I can't understand as it is, if memory serves, very fine indeed. Haitink's later recordings are both curiously unsatisfactory for one reason or another. However, I do have the live 1969 performance in the RCO125 set and it's a real belter, as is the live 1987 Christmas Day performance.

Boulez received poor reviews for his recording and while I have it, wasn't that taken with it and I've only played it once. Perhaps I should try again.

The notorious Klemperer recording is impossibly slow but, and here's the strange thing, it doesn't actually come across as boring at all. The pulse is there and, as Beefy points out, plenty of usually unheard detail is brought out. I didn't surrender, Beefy, but found plenty to enjoy. It just doesn't trouble the best out there.

My own personal choice in this is Riccardo Chailly and the Royal Concertgebouw. As Alison said on here a week or so ago, there is something about the Mahler 7 that suits the sonority of this great orchestra and it does so in Chailly's under-rated account that puts it a notch above most modern recordings.

Beefy is right about the Abbado/Chicago SO set. It is very. very good indeed and if you have no other you can feel content.

**Beef Oven!** · 24-02-18, 10:03

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

Hold on! There's a Furtwangler recording???!!!

Where? Where?? Where???

It's on DG, coupled with Karajan's studio Sibelius symphony #3.

**BBMmk2** · 24-02-18, 10:21

Oh yes! This is one baL I won't miss, by hook or by crook.

Alpie. I don't see Mariss Janson's new M7 with the RCO, on their own label? I really enjoyed this recording, when I played it a fewe days ago.

Beefy, not much difference between Abbado's later Berlin recording as opposed to the earlier Chicago?

**Beef Oven!** · 24-02-18, 10:36

Originally posted by Brassbandmaestro View Post

Beefy, not much difference between Abbado's later Berlin recording as opposed to the earlier Chicago?

Can't argue with you on that, Abbado is very consistent over the years. But the difference is very much apparent in the orchestra and the recording. The earlier recording has a more immediate sound, especially in the brass.

**BBMmk2** · 24-02-18, 10:46

Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post

Can't argue with you on that, Abbado is very consistent over the years. But the difference is very much apparent in the orchestra and the recording. The earlier recording has a more immediate sound, especially in the brass.

Ah right. I always liked that Chicago recording. I will have to return to that someday.

**Alison** · 24-02-18, 10:48

LSO/Gergiev wins this baL.

**BBMmk2** · 24-02-18, 10:49

Originally posted by Alison View Post

LSO/Gergiev wins this baL.

? Really?

**Alison** · 24-02-18, 10:50

Originally posted by Brassbandmaestro View Post

? Really?

You heard it here first!!

BaL 3.03.18 - Mahler: Symphony no. 7

BaL 3.03.18 - Mahler: Symphony no. 7

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