BaL 19.12.20 - Mahler Symphony no. 1

[Pulcinella]

41 plus versions of one work. That's amazing!

You beat me to it, as I was going to mention that you had a rival.
But I really want to know how many recordings of Petrushka are on the shelves too.

[Pulcinella]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Incidentally, I've also got an off-air recording of Mackerras's Prom performance with the Czech Phil in 1998. (Send me a private message if it's of any interest).

I bought it on the basis of home-town orchestra allegiance and good review, iirc.
It's on the list to be given another spin/hearing soon.

PM sent; thanks for your very kind offer.

[Darloboy]

Pleased it’s not Ed Seckerson for a Mahler symphony.

Especially this symphony, for which he was presenter on both of the last 2 occasions it was covered by BaL. In Feb 87, Kubelik/BavRSO was his 1st choice and CSO/Abbado was CD/cassette choice. By Jul 03 Kubelik had been relegated to bargain choice and Concertgebouw/Bernstein was 1st choice (with the Dutton Halle/Barbirolli as a historic recommendation). Given sonic improvements since the Bernstein was recorded in 1989 I'd imagine that a more recent recording will be recommended recording this time round.

[Barbirollians]

Especially this symphony, for which he was presenter on both of the last 2 occasions it was covered by BaL. In Feb 87, Kubelik/BavRSO was his 1st choice and CSO/Abbado was CD/cassette choice. By Jul 03 Kubelik had been relegated to bargain choice and Concertgebouw/Bernstein was 1st choice (with the Dutton Halle/Barbirolli as a historic recommendation). Given sonic improvements since the Bernstein was recorded in 1989 I'd imagine that a more recent recording will be recommended recording this time round.

As much as I can find Mr Seckerson too much of a good thing they are four outstanding recordings of Mahler 1 .

[Barbirollians]

As Pulcinella mentions, it's in reply to his post re. Kletzki, and according to an article I looked at earlier it states that some critics have identified the cut as being of 24 or 16 bars; just to be clear. Kletzki did, indeed make the cut in both his recordings; Israel Phil and Wiener Phil...

It is a shame as otherwise the VPO record is very good - thankfully he did not do it in his marvellous recording of Mahler 4 .

[Petrushka]

You beat me to it, as I was going to mention that you had a rival.
But I really want to know how many recordings of Petrushka are on the shelves too.

I suspect that EA'a tongue was slightly in cheek but the answer to the Petrushka question is 18 versions on CD. The field is rather thinner in terms of both quality and quantity compared to the Mahler 1.

[Pulcinella]

I suspect that EA'a tongue was slightly in cheek but the answer to the Petrushka question is 18 versions on CD. The field is rather thinner in terms of both quality and quantity compared to the Mahler 1.

I feel pretty much the same about Pulcinella: the 'ideal' version I want to have is in my head (or my dreams).

[richardfinegold]

I listened to the stereo Bernstein/NYP yesterday. I am actually much more familiar with his later Amsterdam recording, which was my first and only CD version for many years. The New York is an excellent version but I was surprised at how mainstream it was. My sense of LB in Mahler is that he tended to be heart on sleeve, that he was proselytizing Mahler to the world at the time, that there would be extra emoting, that the “Jewish Wedding Music” would sound like the third rate klezmer band from my Bar-Mitzvah, etc.There is really none of that, and if anything the Amsterdam recording has some of those characteristics

[jayne lee wilson]

I listened to the stereo Bernstein/NYP yesterday. I am actually much more familiar with his later Amsterdam recording, which was my first and only CD version for many years. The New York is an excellent version but I was surprised at how mainstream it was. My sense of LB in Mahler is that he tended to be heart on sleeve, that he was proselytizing Mahler to the world at the time, that there would be extra emoting, that the “Jewish Wedding Music” would sound like the third rate klezmer band from my Bar-Mitzvah, etc.There is really none of that, and if anything the Amsterdam recording has some of those characteristics

With you all the way here. Not listening to much Mahler now, but I always had a strong preference - instinctive and reflective - for those earlier NYPO tapings, only emphasised when I bought the later DSD remaster set.

[richardfinegold]

With you all the way here. Not listening to much Mahler now, but I always had a strong preference - instinctive and reflective - for those earlier NYPO tapings, only emphasised when I bought the later DSD remaster set.

Speaking of those remasterings, the sound was excellent...perhaps better than some relatively recently recorded versions on my shelves

[gradus]

I've never acquired another version since buying the Bruno Walter recording which still sounds pretty good to me.

[Ein Heldenleben]

.

... talking of Bruno Walter, I wouldn't want to be without his transcription for piano four hands -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01K8LH57G

(cheaper when I got it... )

There is also a live (November 1979) Kubelik -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0031IQ2VO

In its 'Titan' incarnation I like Ole Kristian Ruud with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000038I81

,

Played this once with my son late night mainly playing the end of the final movt full welly with lots of fff tremelando etc. The next day a neighbour complained about the noise .
Arranging a symphony for piano is a very good way of mastering the score - one of the reasons Walter is so wonderful in this work.

[LHC]

Especially this symphony, for which he was presenter on both of the last 2 occasions it was covered by BaL. In Feb 87, Kubelik/BavRSO was his 1st choice and CSO/Abbado was CD/cassette choice. By Jul 03 Kubelik had been relegated to bargain choice and Concertgebouw/Bernstein was 1st choice (with the Dutton Halle/Barbirolli as a historic recommendation). Given sonic improvements since the Bernstein was recorded in 1989 I'd imagine that a more recent recording will be recommended recording this time round.

I’m just amazed he couldn’t find a Bernstein recording to recommend first time around.

[richardfinegold]

I see that there is no Karajan recording. Pity, as he made worthwhile readings of 4,5,6, and 9. I would have loved to hear his BPO in this piece

[Bryn]

.

... talking of Bruno Walter, I wouldn't want to be without his transcription for piano four hands -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01K8LH57G

(cheaper when I got it... )

Cheaper now at Presto Classical. They have a promotion on MDG at the moment. https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ery=MDG9301778

However, dispatch is unlikely to be scheduled before the end of January 2021. Oh, and try to bump up the order to over £30 to get free 2nd class postal delivery.