BaL 6.04.19 - Mahler: Symphony no. 4 in G

[Tony Halstead]

I could listen to this, having a Qobuz subscription. But what earthly point is there in a chamber orchestra version of Mahler 10 when there are several different completions available on the full orchestras for which he wrote?

Possibly, no, almost certainly so that many of the world's top chamber orchestras could perform this wonderful, fascinating work in concert? Michelle Castelletti's arrangement/ orchestration is superb and is as 'Mahlerian' as it could possibly be with the reduced forces. I enjoyed playing the horn in the first performance at a concert in Canterbury, UK, in 2012, conducted by Castelletti herself. I can't help wondering why on Earth the CD being discussed could not have been conducted by the latter... what could be more authentic than that?

[HighlandDougie]

I could listen to this, having a Qobuz subscription. But what earthly point is there in a chamber orchestra version of Mahler 10 when there are several different completions available on the full orchestras for which he wrote?

If anyone is interested in Michelle Castelletti's approach to creating a chamber orchestra version (in the spirit of Schönberg et al), she has supplied this note to the CD:

https://www.eclassical.com/shop/17115/art69/5035469-a29684-BIS-2376_booklet.pdf

Can't say why Robert von Bahr went to Rovaniemi to record it but it may have something to do with it having been performed in concert - not a live recording, as far as I can hear.

[Barbirollians]

I thought I had posted this last night but it appears not over the 3G ether.

It is a shame that Walter’s live 1955 VPO version with Hilde Gueden seems no longer to be readily available on DG. It is a masterly performance and Gueden appears to be ideal for the finale.It has the most moving Ruhevoll movement for me.

I must admit to struggling with Wittek on the Bernstein version though I see RO raved about it in Gramophone at the time. I love the Battle/Maazel and won’t here a word against it !

Mr Barsgwanath repeated himself to such an extent I suspected an editing error at first.

[cloughie]

I thought I had posted this last night but it appears not over the 3G ether.

It is a shame that Walter’s live 1955 VPO version with Hilde Gueden seems no longer to be readily available on DG. It is a masterly performance and Gueden appears to be ideal for the finale.It has the most moving Ruhevoll movement for me.

I must admit to struggling with Wittek on the Bernstein version though I see RO raved about it in Gramophone at the time. I love the Battle/Maazel and won’t here a word against it !

Mr Barsgwanath repeated himself to such an extent I suspected an editing error at first.

Interesting, I thought I had posted something on the Schumann PC thread that had not appeared.

[vinteuil]

It is a shame that Walter’s live 1955 VPO version with Hilde Gueden seems no longer to be readily available on DG. It is a masterly performance and Gueden appears to be ideal for the finale.It has the most moving Ruhevoll movement for me.
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... available on the andromeda label from presto :

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7949266--bruno-walter-in-vienna-the-mahler-recordings

( ... and on special offer for the next week! )


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[gurnemanz]

... available on the andromeda label from presto :

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7949266--bruno-walter-in-vienna-the-mahler-recordings

( ... and on special offer for the next week! )


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I mentioned it above

[Barbirollians]

I mentioned it above

On a tangent wasn’t there an argument some years ago as to whether that really was the live Das Lied ?

[Barbirollians]

I listened to the Horenstein for the first time in ages last night - I had forgotten how good it was - highly recommended.

[Barbirollians]

Returning to this thread I found a Philips secondhand copy of the Mengelberg Mahler 4 in a charity shop recently someone seemed to have realised that it was a cut above the usual Stock as it was £4 rather than the £1 label onPiano Classics and the like.

A bit scuffed and someone oddly had underlined some comments in the booklet. Listening to it over the last few days a few times I have come to get used to some of the extreme rubato employed and enjoyed more its immense character and echt Mahlerian style. A classic undoubtedly .

[cloughie]

Returning to this thread I found a Philips secondhand copy of the Mengelberg Mahler 4 in a charity shop recently someone seemed to have realised that it was a cut above the usual Stock as it was £4 rather than the £1 label onPiano Classics and the like.

A bit scuffed and someone oddly had underlined some comments in the booklet. Listening to it over the last few days a few times I have come to get used to some of the extreme rubato employed and enjoyed more its immense character and echt Mahlerian style. A classic undoubtedly .

I think Mengelberg is an acquired taste - not sure that I will get there!

[richardfinegold]

I listened to that Mengelberg a few years ago when I had a Spotify subscription. It is fascinating.
The Concertgebouw unique timber can still be appreciated through time. The slow movement was sumptuous.

[Barbirollians]

I reacted similiarly to Persson, especially when I went back to Irmgard Seefried for Walter (1950 live).

I have only just got round to getting a copy of this recording live on Orfeo after David Gutman noted that many of the audience were said to have been moved to tears.

I am not surprised. The 1950 mono sound is acceptable and one can immediately tell this is the VPO of Walter’s 1952 Das Lied. It is a wonderful performance and Seefried is outstanding.

[Barbirollians]

What a shame we don't have other 4ths from Mengelberg.....

So far I haven't tracked down any Gramophone Collection articles on the Mahler 4 in the archive; if anyone finds one do let us all know...

In Gramophone this month from David Gutman.

[jayne lee wilson]

In Gramophone this month from David Gutman.

Yes, excellent piece with Mengelberg still riding high in the lovely Pristine transfer....

Among many verbal felicities, I liked Gutman's final comment about the BFO/I-Fischer....
"recalibrating Mengelberg's interventionism for our own time."

By Polonius, that's good, that's very good......

[Barbirollians]

Agree very much about Lucy Crowe being ideal as the solo soprano in the finale

Have I missed mentions of Tennstedt and Pops in Mahler 4 - RO was very complimentary about it in the mid 1980s .

Talking to myself but reminded of the Tennstedt Mahler 4 as it is coupled with his studio 8th which I thought about listening to this afternoon having left Stephen Johnson’s Mahler 8 book too long unfinished .

Ending up just listening to the Fourth - Popp was outstanding . Surely, one of Tennstedt’s very best records.