BaL 26.11.11 - Mahler: Symphony no. 8

[BBMmk2]

Abbado/Berlin forces or Solti! I hope abbado does one with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra!

[DracoM]

Tennstedt?

[Nick Armstrong]

Tennstedt?

Errr... quite... (see many posts above)

[pilamenon]

Choir of Eltham College, Choral Arts Society of Washington, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev

Of the two versions I have, the other being Solti, this is my clear favourite. The acoustic of St Paul's will rule it out for many, but what may be sacrificed in clarity is gained in majesty, and I think it suits this work down to the ground.

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...

I feel the exact opposite, that No 8 is more profound than either 7 or 9 (the latter perhaps more personal than profound).

[silvestrione]

I feel the exact opposite, that No 8 is more profound than either 7 or 9 (the latter perhaps more personal than profound).

Yes I agree, Pilamenon. You come out of a performance (a good performance...well, I've only ever been to one, Rattle with NYO and choirs from all round the world) convinced the world must now be different. It needs the sense of occasion, the tangible presence of all those forces, too: can be reduced in impact on disc. For me the Solti despite its faults comes closest to the piece's impact in live performance in concert hall.

[mathias broucek]

Have to agree with the praise for Solti and both Tennstedts. I also think this is one of Rattle's better efforts.

I recently bought the Gielen box but haven't got to #8 yet. Any views?

[Tevot]

Why on earth did they fade out the end of Abbado's recording? Oh I get it - commercials. Thanks :-(

[mercia]

I'm probably alone in feeling that, despite the reviewers being obvious experts in their field, I wish they would occasionaly say "in my opinion ........." rather than making pronouncements as if they were facts.

"such-and-such is too slow in this passage". well ............ in your opinion ................

How "influential" is Building-a-Library? Do lots of people now rush out and buy the recommended disc because Mr Expert says it IS the best ?

[amateur51]

Have to agree with the praise for Solti and both Tennstedts. I also think this is one of Rattle's better efforts.

I recently bought the Gielen box but haven't got to #8 yet. Any views?

Bravo mathias - have you won the Lotto or have they finally reduced the price of this much yearned-for set?

[mathias broucek]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Abbado? Seriously? I have about 15 M8s and I don't think this would make the top 10! The soloists ARE good but it just doesn't have enough energy in the 1st movement

And WHICH BRSO/Kubelik, Audite or DG? (My preference would be for the former.)

(Amateur - no lotto win for Gielen, just got lucky with some mis-priced MP3s.)

[amateur51]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Abbado? Seriously? I have about 15 M8s and I don't think this would make the top 10! The soloists ARE good but it just doesn't have enough energy in the 1st movement

And WHICH BRSO/Kubelik, Audite or DG? (My preference would be for the former.)

(Amateur - no lotto win for Gielen, just got lucky with some mis-priced MP3s.)

Well done mathias!

[knodge41]

Mention of the IMP Pickwick label leads me to ask whether any forum members bought the Morris version of Mahler 8 at Woolworths, where Pickwick classical CDs could be found on a rack near the sweet counter! The choice of Wollworths, along with Boots and various newsagents such as Martins, was an interesting marketing strategy for the distributors. Presumably it was all about impulse purchasing, pure and simple.

Certainly, works such as Mahler symphonies could be found in Woolies - I bought the Pickwick Kaplan 'Resurrection' (DPCD 910) at the Brixton branch - but I wonder how the general shopper who gave in to a sudden 'impulse' to buy Mahler 8 would have reacted on playing it at home!

[Biffo]

I bought the Morris version in its first LP incarnation (forgotten the name of the label) at a performance of Mahler 5 given by Morris and the Symphonica of London at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It must be something of a rarity now but I gave it a way!

Mathias: What do you mean by not enough 'energy', presumably you are not solely referring to tempo? The reviewer also praised both Chailly versions though only played excerpts from the Leipzig DVD. The Eighth is my least favourite of the symphonies and my probable favourite version is Chailly/Concertgebouw. He takes a more measured tempo than most in the first movement although I wouldn't say he lacks energy. I find some other versions, most notably Bernstein in his earlier LSO version, make this movement sound strenuous and noisy - to me at least. I must admit I have never heard the work live and a live performance would be a totally different (probably overwhelming) experience that might change my views.

[gradus]

I too attended a (the?) Tennstedt performance of Mahler 8 at the RFH but all I can recall was the loudness of the loud passages, an almost ear-splitting intensity where I sat (mid-stalls). Unfortunately for me I found it a bit of an ordeal to sit through and still have to get into this undeniably impressive piece. I'll just get me coat......

[Mahlerei]

Did Wit get a mention? Or either of the Gielens?