gustavmahlerboard.com
General Category => Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions => Topic started by: hrandall on June 06, 2011, 09:56:02 PM
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Hello all,
I have a birthday coming up (a fairly terrifying, middling roundish number), and seeing an old thread here about Mahler gifts, have been eyeing Peter Fulop's Mahler Discography book. For those of you who own it, would you recommend it? Do you feel the cost is worthwhile?
Best,
Herb
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I don't yet own it. Even for a Mahler junkie like me it seems a bit of overkill—especially at $180.00—though I will encourage my university library to buy it. ;D
The March/April 2011 issue of Fanfare magazine includes a substantial and interesting interview with author Péter Fülöp as well as two reviews of the work itself.
James
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$180.00??!! That's practically 3/4 of the price toward getting yourself either an iPad or a laptop! Save your $180.00, buy an inexpensive computer, get online and go to this web site:
http://gustavmahler.net.free.fr/us.html
What a shame that someone publishes a book for such an outrageous price to take advantage of those who are not on line! And it'll go out-of-date very quickly, with all kinds of Mahler recordings that barrage the market! Quite possibly this book may list out-of-print LP, open-reel, as well as CD issuances of Mahler recordings, but as far as the obsolete media are concerned, that's where you need to take time and dig through record bins at used record stores.
Wade
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While the website mentioned is a nice listing of recordings, I believe the Mahler Discography book has more information (timings, recording information). It is expensive, but at least from the description sounds like a true keepsake book. There is of course the fact that it was outdated the moment it was printed, but I suppose that can't be helped.
Anyway, I'd love to hear from someone who bought it with their own hard-earned cash if they feel it's worth it. Also, about the CD included with the book, what is the opinion of that M4?
Cheers,
Herb
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Okay, I'll admit it: I bought it. It is expensive, but then most Mahler books of substance are--largely, I suspect, because of the limited market of readers versus the cost of production. We should note, incidentally, that the publication of this book was supported by the Kaplan Foundation, so it could have been even more expensive!
The book itself is E-Enormous, attractively hard-bound, very heavy, sturdily made, and packed with information. As with any discography, it is automatically limited by its date of publication. But that fact doesn't keep us from buying dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other such compilations. (I notice that Lew Smoley's "Gustav Mahler's Symphonies: Critical Commentary on Recordings Since 1986," published in 1996, still commands a hefty price.)
As for the CD, I have heard it once and have no distinct memory of its quality. It is included as a rarity--the rarest Mahler recording, I believe Peter reports.
Should you buy it? If you are bibliomaniac as well as a Mahler nut, of course you should. Which would you enjoy more: Leafing through nine twenty-dollar bills or leafing through a large (and relatively rare) book of Mahler-related information? It's a reference work to be returned to and consulted from time to time.
But I rather doubt you will receive much encouragement from The Bored. Those members who participate make few entries about their readings. Timings of book-readings are so varied.
. & '
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Which would you enjoy more: Leafing through nine twenty-dollar bills or leafing through a large (and relatively rare) book of Mahler-related information? It's a reference work to be returned to and consulted from time to time.
Good one. I would think it's more enjoyable leafing through that book (leafing through the bills will probably get boring after the first time). OTOH you'd get about 4 boxes like the EMI 150 year box containing ALL of Mahler's music in very interesting performances.
Roffe
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Jot N. Tittle has me intrigued with his remark that "The book itself is E-Enormous, attractively hard-bound, very heavy, sturdily made, and packed with information."
My curiosity prompts me to ask, does it have anything to seriously compete with my Bible, HLDLG volumes on Mahler? Perhaps Jot will toss us a few more tidbits to tempt us bookmice into that $180.00 mousetrap.
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E-Enormous is 12 in. x 8.75 in. x 1.75 in., 6.5 lbs., 564 +4 pp. It is quite a handsome production--and a large piece of cheese.
To see it, go to:
http://www.mahlerrecords.com/product_info.php?products_id=1578&osCsid=51ea021b2b3b5715852d091d8f38c661
. & '
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More information, provided on the page cited in previous message:
--Augmented Discography of Gustav Mahler’s works ever recorded
--2774 items, including all the arrangements of Mahler works (26 arrangements of the Adagietto)
--Every recording released on 78 rpm records, LPs, CDs, Laser disk and DVD
--All the movements and songs timing in a separate section
--The order of the movements of the 6th Symphony also in the Timing section
--The Mahler 4th Symphony CD enclosed with P.van Kempen, which was never released on LP or CD. Only one set is known to survive, so this is the rarest Mahler record.
--Accurate details about the date and venue of the recordings in the Works section
--Artists & Label index
--Colored photos of the first recordings
--A4 Hard cover, 586 pages
. & '
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The book is very tempting - I work in the publishing industry and love a fine book. However, Roffe's mention of how many CD's or box sets the same amount of money would fetch is a great point. Decisions, decisions....
Cheers,
Herb
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I have the first edition of Fulop which, of course, is now out-of-date. Indeed, I've gotten a lot of enjoyment and information out of it. I could not, however, afford it at $180. I don't think that sentiment makes the majority of us 'posters' lazy readers, or some kind of nin-kum-poops. It means what it means: it's expensive!
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Hello again, Herb--
As I tried to sleep last night, I reflected upon the complexities that are involved in such a decision. For a start, what are the various alternatives available?
If one is building a Mahler "library," this discography might stand either at the top or the bottom of a books-to-buy list, depending on the type of books one seeks; the de la Grange volumes, for example, with their wide variety of information might be preferred--or the Donald Mitchell books. Then there are the various collections of Mahler's letters, or the Jonathan Carr bio that has just been reissued, and the English translation of Gustav Mahler, by Jens Malte Fischer, scheduled to come out in the US on July 26.
Or if one is building a collection of Mahler recordings, certain ones may give more pleasure than any discography; I, for one, would certainly prefer having the NYPO Mahler Broadcasts CDs to most books if faced with an either-or decision--ditto the Bernstein DVD set or Abaddo's Luzerne Festival Orchestra Mahler quasi-cycle.
And so it goes. The answer to your query, then, ends up being "It depends."
Not very helpful, right? Unless you are trying to go to sleep.
Best wishes, Herb.
. & '
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After pondering HLDLG, Carr, Mitchell, the letters, and this new discogaphy, I for one will sleep better now.
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I, for one, can't see spending $180.00 for a book of advice on recommended Mahler recordings (one man's opinion) when I can get all kinds of free advice here, not to mention one (Barry) who offers a musician's insight on how these works should sound and be performed, because he has all the notes and notations on paper in front of him, compared to the vast majority of us who cannot follow or understand an orchestral score. And yes, recognized critics like David Hurwitz can exercise some influence, though we may agree to disagree at times.
When I purchased HLdLG's volume 4 of his Mahler biography, I had already purchased all of the earlier volumes, and decided that it would be a waste not to get volume 4. So I almost choked when I plunked down my money for the in-excess-of-$100.00 price, but the information in that volume, not available anywhere else, was worth it.
Wade
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Hear, hear. I agree fulheartedly with Wade.
Roffe
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I, for one, can't see spending $180.00 for a book of advice on recommended Mahler recordings (one man's opinion) when I can get all kinds of free advice here, not to mention one (Barry) who offers a musician's insight on how these works should sound and be performed, because he has all the notes and notations on paper in front of him, compared to the vast majority of us who cannot follow or understand an orchestral score. And yes, recognized critics like David Hurwitz can exercise some influence, though we may agree to disagree at times......
A reminder that Fulop's book is a discography with timings and recording date/info., not an annotated listing (with reviews like Lewis Smoley's 2 volumes). Vincent's on-line discography doesn't have the timing information and is based on the 1st edition of Peter Fulop's discography. Whether the additional information is worth it is up to you of course.
If you really want to ponder how much you want to spend on a Mahler book, consider the new edition of Gilbert Kaplan's Mahler Album book. Would you even spend 31 USD for even more pictures of Mahler even if you spent almost 200 USD for the 1st edition when it came out?
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Eric Nagamine
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I, for one, can't see spending $180.00 for a book of advice on recommended Mahler recordings (one man's opinion) when I can get all kinds of free advice here, not to mention one (Barry) who offers a musician's insight on how these works should sound and be performed, because he has all the notes and notations on paper in front of him, compared to the vast majority of us who cannot follow or understand an orchestral score. And yes, recognized critics like David Hurwitz can exercise some influence, though we may agree to disagree at times......
A reminder that Fulop's book is a discography with timings and recording date/info., not an annotated listing (with reviews like Lewis Smoley's 2 volumes). Vincent's on-line discography doesn't have the timing information and is based on the 1st edition of Peter Fulop's discography. Whether the additional information is worth it is up to you of course.
If you really want to ponder how much you want to spend on a Mahler book, consider the new edition of Gilbert Kaplan's Mahler Album book. Would you even spend 31 USD for even more pictures of Mahler even if you spent almost 200 USD for the 1st edition when it came out?
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Eric Nagamine
I refused to spend the huge amount of money for the Kaplan Mahler Album when it first came out. The pictures contained therein, to my mind were great, but did not justify the expense. $31.00 for the reprint of the Kaplan Mahler Album is DEFINITELY a lot more reasonable, and a bargain, and I think he realized he was mistaken for charging the insane price he did for the initial edition. But for someone to update and charge almost twice the price for a discography is insane, especially during these hard economic times. You may still be working and drawing a decent paycheck, but I'm retired and have to carefully consider what I buy in Mahler recordings and books.
Wade
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I thought I should update you on what I decided to do to treat myself for my 40th birthday. Tomorrow I will receive the Universal Edition Study Score for M3, and will pick up a few more CDs when they are released soon: Jansons / RCO M3 and Jurowski / LPO M2 for sure. In the end, I felt that in my young career as a Mahler nut case, I still have a lot of recordings to collect, a few scores to buy, etc. So the discography will have to wait for another year while I whittle down higher priority items from my Amazon wish list.
And I heartily agree that this board is such a wealth of insight about all things Mahler. Already I've found some wonderful recordings thanks to advice from you all. So thank you for everyone who's contributed in one way or another here.
Cheers,
Herb
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Happy Birthday, Herb!
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Happy Birthday, Herb!
Thank you!
Speaking of good advice on the board, my wife got me the Saraste / Oslo M6, I'm listening to it now. Very nice so far, I think.
Cheers,
Herb
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Herb,
Please continue that availability of good advice at the board, by telling us, when you are able, what you think of this M6.
M6 has always been one of my top 5, and juvenile as I may sound to some, I'd like to hear what you think of this recording's Hammerschlags.
--John
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To resurrect an old thread with an update: Peter Fulop's Mahler Discography is now on sale at his site http://www.mahlerrecords.com for 90 USD. I succumbed to temptation and bought it a couple of weeks ago. I'm very happy with the purchase but understand not everyone would consider it a "must buy." Still, at half price, I couldn't resist.
Unfortunately, his site seems to be malfunctioning at the moment, I'm not sure you can even get an order placed.
Still, thought I'd mention it in case anyone else on the fence about the book wanted to take advantage of the sale.
Cheers,
Herb
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I've found it to be extremely useful over the years, and I hope you will as well. Enjoy.