BaL 19.12.20 - Mahler Symphony no. 1

[cloughie]

Earlier in the thread I commented that imo the Leinsdorf/Boston was one of the few recordings of this piece that I had no wish to revisit. It is a bit of a surprise to find that he left 3 recorded versions

3?

[Leinster Lass]

3?

According to #1 - BSO (CD), BSO (DVD), RPO

[cloughie]

According to #1 - BSO (CD), BSO (DVD), RPO

Right - I wasn’t thinking DVD.
My current tally of recordings is 61.

[HighlandDougie]

I see that I did not directly respond to the question posed by Pulcinella. Yes, Blumine was/is the second movement of 'Titan', as against the 1st Symphony. I also note that Roth's recording of the latter is currently available at low cost from amazon.co.uk. It's a very fine performance and had a delightful coupling, Webern's Im Sommerwind. That, plus his recording with Les Siecles of 'Titan' would make a fine library combination, in my view.

I very much agree with this recommendation. Had I been asked to enumerate the number of versions I seem to have accumulated over the years, I think that I would have been surprised to find that it seems to stand at 42 and rising. One version which I acquired very cheaply a couple of years ago and which, although a bit rough round the edges and rather drily recorded, has a real sense of hearing a probably-too-familiar work for the first time is that by Zoltan Kocsis. A polar opposite of what I imagine Karajan and the BPO might have done with it but well worth hearing.

[cloughie]

I very much agree with this recommendation. Had I been asked to enumerate the number of versions I seem to have accumulated over the years, I think that I would have been surprised to find that it seems to stand at 42 and rising. One version which I acquired very cheaply a couple of years ago and which, although a bit rough round the edges and rather drily recorded, has a real sense of hearing a probably-too-familiar work for the first time is that by Zoltan Kocsis. A polar opposite of what I imagine Karajan and the BPO might have done with it but well worth hearing.

I had a similar reaction some years ago to the CPO Ancerl on Supraphon.

[mikealdren]

Just listened to my two Bernstein recordings back to back. The Concertgebouw version sounded very bland until I increased the volume then it's a decent recording although with a bit of 'digital glare'. The NYPO version is more dated in sound but still quite acceptable. As to the performances, I find the earlier performance flows naturally and feels right, the later performance is too controlled and mannered for me, too much Bernstein rather than Mahler.

Definitely in the market for another version.....

[Petrushka]

Right - I wasn’t thinking DVD.
My current tally of recordings is 61.

61?! OK you win!

[visualnickmos]

I really don't recommend it, despite it being a very decent performance. The amount of dynamic range flattening/pumping and knob twiddling to reveal incidental detail borders on incompetence. No wonder Stokowski insisted in being involved the mixing of his own Phase 4 recordings.

Thank you, once more Monsieur Alpestre. I see it's now on Eloquence; I wonder if that has improved it at all? With are so many superb Mahler 1s out there, there's no reason to bother with 'also rans'.

[Bryn]

61?! OK you win!

I have not kept a tally and have no intention of starting one. Let's just say I have more than a few, with the MfP IPO manifestation of the first Kletski as my starting point.

[cloughie]

I have not kept a tally and have no intention of starting one. Let's just say I have more than a few, with the MfP IPO manifestation of the first Kletski as my starting point.

We share the same starter - I moved on from that to Walter on CBS Classics and then LSO/Solti (still a firm favourite).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

61?! OK you win!

Amazing!

[visualnickmos]

We share the same starter - I moved on from that to Walter on CBS Classics and then LSO/Solti (still a firm favourite).

Indeed. It was on the strength of that, that I acquired his LSO Mahler 3rd. Oh dear......

[verismissimo]

61?! OK you win!

I've had 6, but two of those have been moved on. Where does that leave me in the league table?

[Leinster Lass]

I've had 6, but two of those have been moved on. Where does that leave me in the league table?

Several places above me, as I have just two!

[richardfinegold]

Just listened to my two Bernstein recordings back to back. The Concertgebouw version sounded very bland until I increased the volume then it's a decent recording although with a bit of 'digital glare'. The NYPO version is more dated in sound but still quite acceptable. As to the performances, I find the earlier performance flows naturally and feels right, the later performance is too controlled and mannered for me, too much Bernstein rather than Mahler.

Definitely in the market for another version.....

I agree. After listening to the earlier version twice over the weekend I much prefer it. Also I don’t know what remastering you have but the last Sony go around sounds better than the later DG. The Sony sounds vey open and natural, with excellent reproduction of the low level effects that Mahler spices the work with like paprika.
I also enjoy the Ancerl that was recently mentioned. That is another one that sounds a notch better in its latest remaster (from The ‘AAncerl Gold’ Supraphon remasterings.