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General Category => Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions => Topic started by: umbernisitani on September 13, 2015, 12:48:02 AM

Title: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: umbernisitani on September 13, 2015, 12:48:02 AM
This post acts as a heads-up to those who are unaware of this marvellous recording's existence.

Recently I have acquired a copy of Inbal's Mahler 3 with the NHK Symphony Orchestra on Denon.  It's an incredibly rare release, and as far as I know, distributed only to NHK subscribers and not available for the general public.

http://www.suruga-ya.jp/database/pics/game/230048276.jpg

Recorded live in December 1993, this is Inbal's second recording of M3, between the FRSO/Denon recording (1985), which I own, and the TMSO/Exton recording (2013), which I don't.  A thread on the TMSO recording noted the extremely fast run time; this NHK recording bears similar timings to the FRSO recording (32:17/9:53/17:15/10:19/3:57/25:11).

I wasn't particularly impressed with the FRSO recording (and in fact most of the Inbal FRSO cycle) because of the variable orchestral playing (brass often crack) and the sonics which I find cold and analytical.  But Inbal's genius generally managed to shine through those flaws in execution.  This NHK recording has all that amazing dedication to the score as with the FRSO, but this has much more secure yet exciting orchestral playing and a recording whose realism is to die for.  Despite the rather characterless woodwinds (though they sound absolutely gorgeous in their solos), the strings are admirably rich while the brass pack a huge punch in the first movement, and percussion is always enthusiastic.  That fifth movement is unquestionably the most ebullient version i've heard, with a particularly cute sounding children's chorus, and a finale sporting strings playing with the intensity of the opening of M9 finale.  All in all, one of my favourite M3s.
Title: Re: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: barry guerrero on September 13, 2015, 08:28:08 AM
Thanks for letting us know this, and congrats on finding it.
Title: Re: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: Last_Evolution on November 15, 2020, 08:20:54 PM
Does anyone have this recording? It's not possible to buy it anywhere (except overpriced offers on ebay).
Title: Re: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: John Kim on November 18, 2020, 06:19:38 PM
I have it and it's a great M3rd, the best Inbal has done to the symphony.
Title: Re: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: John Kim on November 18, 2020, 06:20:15 PM
Inbal and NHK also made an excellent recording of M9th.
Title: Re: Inbal's NHK Mahler 3
Post by: Last_Evolution on November 18, 2020, 07:42:39 PM
Please can you rip this M3 and put it to google drive or dropbox? I am sure that other members are interested too.