BaL 3.03.18 - Mahler: Symphony no. 7

[Richard Barrett]

I've always really enjoyed this performance since buying the LPs a long time ago (and last year invested in an SHM-CD of it to remind me why). Given the paucity of recordings of this symphony until the 1970s (Rosbaud, Bernstein, Abravanel, Klemperer, Haitink), Kubelik in 1971 was a relatively early entrant into the fray. But, given the plethora of subsequent releases (including a live Kubelik/Bavarian RSO 7th from Audite) which are both better played and better recorded, I cannot see this being a BaL choice. But I would be very happy to have to eat my words.

I love Kubelík's recordings and I still listen to them often, especially nos. 3, 4, 7 and 8. There are recordings of no.8 which are better in some ways but none with better singing, IMO, and there isn't a recording of no.4 that I prefer. I think one of the reasons the 7th has always had a place in my heart is Kubelík's recording - some conductors make the last movement sound superficial and/or commonplace but he isn't among them.

[Petrushka]

I've always really enjoyed this performance since buying the LPs a long time ago (and last year invested in an SHM-CD of it to remind me why). Given the paucity of recordings of this symphony until the 1970s (Rosbaud, Bernstein, Abravanel, Klemperer, Haitink), Kubelik in 1971 was a relatively early entrant into the fray. But, given the plethora of subsequent releases (including a live Kubelik/Bavarian RSO 7th from Audite) which are both better played and better recorded, I cannot see this being a BaL choice. But I would be very happy to have to eat my words.

There is yet another Kubelik recording around, this time with the New York Philharmonic in a live 1981 performance which is included in the NYPO Mahler Broadcasts box which I got on release 20 years ago. The box now fetches ludicrously high prices. I haven't played the 7th from that set for years so must find time for it.

[Barbirollians]

I could never really get on with Kubelik's Mahler 5 - his First and Fourth however I think are outstanding.

[BBMmk2]

I keep on seeing the Kondrashin re ording saying to me buy, buy, buy!

[ucanseetheend]

Lets hope someone uploads the Berlin Phil /Abbado choice by Johnson on Youtube, Not buying a boxset for just one symphony

[LeMartinPecheur]

Lets hope someone uploads the Berlin Phil /Abbado choice by Johnson on Youtube, Not buying a boxset for just one symphony

Amazon still has it as a single CD https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Symp...ahler+7+abbado

[BBMmk2]

Saved me some money today! I have the box set!

I didn’t hear any mention of the Jansons version.

[verismissimo]

I liked Johnson's recommendation very much, but can one obtain it without all that shouting at the end?

[Nachtigall]

I have 15 recordings of Mahler 7, it appears, including the Abbado/Chicago Symphony, but not the recommended Berlin recording.

Curiously, Stephen Johnson seems not to have heard of Michael Gielen, whose Testament recording is superb.

[ucanseetheend]

curious that Abbados 1984 CSO recording was always thought to be the best , anyone agree?

[Keraulophone]

What Abbado achieved four years later is worth a listen on YT.

(verismissimo, you’ll need to be quick to mute the ill-timed shout of ‘Bravo’ followed by tumultuous applause.)

https://youtu.be/QdxvC7NNSLQ

[Beef Oven!]

Lets hope someone uploads the Berlin Phil /Abbado choice by Johnson on Youtube, Not buying a boxset for just one symphony

You don't have to buy the box set. Widely available as a download from all the usual suspects or as a single CD from Amazon.

[BBMmk2]

What Abbado achieved four years later is worth a listen on YT.

(verismissimo, you’ll need to be quick to mute the ill-timed shout of ‘Bravo’ followed by tumultuous applause.)

https://youtu.be/QdxvC7NNSLQ

I don't know why audiences don't have the patience to wait for maybe, just a few seconds to wait, to digest what's been going on then erupt into applause.

[Barbirollians]

Did SJ compare the Abbado recordings ? I missed the start and heard him comparing the 1960s and 80s Bernstein recordings.

[BBMmk2]

Did SJ compare the Abbado recordings ? I missed the start and heard him comparing the 1960s and 80s Bernstein recordings.

Indeed he did.