BaL 26.11.11 - Mahler: Symphony no. 8

[Nick Armstrong]

The Tennstedt I have has slightly different forces (the Tiffin School Boys' Choir, for instance) and was recorded in Walthamstow Town Hall in April 1986. Is this no longer available?

Like others here, I'm not a great fan of the 8th, but the final twelve minutes or so of this recording (from Blicket auf ...) never fail to work their magic.

Agreed, Jimbo. The ends of both parts are magic, I think... indeed the beginnings too. I haven't listened to it for ages but the start of Part 2 is pretty electrifying and the opening of the whole shooting match never fails to raise a goose bump or three. It's in some of the bits in the middle that the attention can start to wane...

Your (and my) studio version seems to be available 'officially' only as part of the Tennstedt box set http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Compl...1634558&sr=8-6 although I see new copies of the symphony on its own can be had for £10.95 on the amazon market place.

[VodkaDilc]

. I don't recall Julian Johnson but thank goodness we don't have Edward Seckerson doing the review.

Why? Have I missed something? Mahler expert, good broadcaster! What more do you want?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There's only one Haitink version isn't there, EA ?

Ah, erm, yes! You are quite right, Alison. There's a Pentatone remix of the original Philips recording. Unfortunately, I counted it twice.
I'll amend the list.

[Atticus]

No, not my favourite Mahler either. Not at his most profound.I much prefer 7 which has the glorious 'nachtmusik' and the spiritually profound 9th. Much of 8 to me is overblown and has lengthy areas of longeurs...

[PaulT]

Talking of live at the Albert Hall I recall an impressive 1970s concert conducted by Wyn Morris and Isabella Wallach's pick up band, the Symphonica of London. First time I heard the piece. Issued on 2 x LP shortly after (which I still have) but I think it must have sunk without trace.

[Bryn]

What about the Blu-rays? Witt and Chailly for a start. The Witt suffers from strange balancing (artificial surround?) in the 5'1 offering, but the high definition 2 channel stereo is excellent.

[Bryn]

Talking of live at the Albert Hall I recall an impressive 1970s concert conducted by Wyn Morris and Isabella Wallach's pick up band, the Symphonica of London. First time I heard the piece. Issued on 2 x LP shortly after (which I still have) but I think it must have sunk without trace.

Not without trace. I have it as a 2 CD set. It was issued by IMP Pickwick (DPCD 1019), replete with the original fades for the LP side break in Part 2.

[Alison]

I have never been aware of longeurs in Mahler 8 !

[Petrushka]

I, too, was present at the Tennstedt Mahler 8 issued on DVD and recently also CD and rate it as the greatest concert hall experience of my life. For that reason that DVD and CD are of very special importance to me.

The Solti was the first version I had and I bought the LP's as soon as they came out. Still a great recording by any yardstick. Of other interpreters the one that is really under-rated (but not by me!) is Sinopoli and the Philharmonia.

[amateur51]

I, too, was present at the Tennstedt Mahler 8 issued on DVD and recently also CD and rate it as the greatest concert hall experience of my life. For that reason that DVD and CD are of very special importance to me.

The Solti was the first version I had and I bought the LP's as soon as they came out. Still a great recording by any yardstick. Of other interpreters the one that is really under-rated (but not by me!) is Sinopoli and the Philharmonia.

I too was at the Royal Festival Hall for that concert and I agree wholeheartedly with your enthusiasm for it and for the Sinopoli/Philharmonia recording, Petrushka

[Nick Armstrong]

I too was at the Royal Festival Hall for that concert

Bet I won the prize between the three of us in the hall that night, for silliest braces

[amateur51]

Bet I won the prize between the three of us in the hall that night, for silliest braces

I took a friend for her birthday treat, her first Mahler symphony concert. The look on her face at the end was wonderful - 'blown away' would sum it up

[Nick Armstrong]

I took a friend for her birthday treat, her first Mahler symphony concert. The look on her face at the end was wonderful - 'blown away' would sum it up

[Chris Newman]

Bet I won the prize between the three of us in the hall that night, for silliest braces

In one establishment where I worked the boss (before she was sacked) was so bad that I wore Mickey Mouse braces to staff meetings. The staff all knew it was my comment on her management style.

[amateur51]

In one establishment where I worked the boss (before she was sacked) was so bad that I wore Mickey Mouse braces to staff meetings. The staff all knew it was my comment on her management style.

Scamp!