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General Category => Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions => Topic started by: John Kim on November 10, 2018, 05:24:29 PM

Title: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on November 10, 2018, 05:24:29 PM
I can't upload the pic here (does anyone know how??).

In Japan the release date is 12/31/2018.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: brunumb on November 10, 2018, 11:58:33 PM
Do you have a link to the site where you saw this?
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on November 11, 2018, 01:26:53 AM
https://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Mahler-1860-1911_000000000019272/item_Symphony-No-2-Osmo-Vanska-Minnesota-Orchestra-Choir-R-Hughes-S-S-Cooke-Ms-Hybrid_9349262
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on November 11, 2018, 01:28:11 AM
timings are

I. 23:17/ II. 9:54/ III. 10:50/ IV. 5:28/ V. 34:08 = 84:38


Looks good.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: brunumb on November 11, 2018, 02:03:29 AM
(https://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/800/93/4/9/262.jpg)
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on November 12, 2018, 06:19:10 PM
Here is a video of the ending.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj51pf1XRPc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR38adNEOiJq9fHRuc9nAZSQckDEVIjZVUPxn16qAvQ8ChkyipaZ7BH0pdo
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on November 13, 2018, 04:24:21 AM
oohhhhhhh, nice tam-tam smash at the hohepunkt (climax).
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: Russell on January 09, 2019, 09:04:27 AM
The hi-res download is now available (on sale for just $12.69 for a limited time).  You can even listen to the whole thing, albeit in 30-second increments--just keep clicking the 'play' button.

http://www.eclassical.com/conductors/vanska-osmo/mahler-symphony-no2-resurrection.html
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on January 10, 2019, 07:41:19 AM
BEST DEEP BELLS and HIGH and LOW TAM-TAM EVER!!! I also like it that Vanska doesn't drag the unison chorus at the 32 minute mark (I hate it when they do that). Going back to the march (within the finale), I like how he brings the offstage trumpets in closer with each of their entrances, located between 14:00 and 15:00. As a result, you hear the trumpets leading into the full orchestra's re-entrance, with the low brass belting out the melody. In the other words, the hohepunkt of the entire march section. You can also hear the series of tam-tam smashes at the end of the march, but the tam-tam could still be a bit stronger there (but hey, at least you can hear it!). I'm definitely getting this.

I wish I liked Vanska's M6 more than I do. The two inner movements are excellent, but the two outer ones aren't nearly as good. I think he's more into the 'positive' Mahler than the 'downer' Mahler. What do you guys think?   .   .   .  I wished he had used THESE deep bells for the M6 finale, rather than the ubiquitous rolling rack of chimes (holy doorbells).
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: Russell on January 10, 2019, 09:52:27 PM
Here's a very positive writeup on the Audio Asylum website:

https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/music/classical/messages/1/12028.html
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on January 13, 2019, 05:02:59 PM
Russell,

Thanks.

My colleague who heard the recording confirmed the excellent of the performance but he lamented that the bells in the closing pages are inaudible.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on January 14, 2019, 08:48:17 AM
Huh? John, when I listened to it on the e-classical link provided here, the deep bells were very present. I'm baffled.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: ChrisH on January 18, 2019, 12:10:46 AM
Listened to a bit of this just now. On my system the bells sounded good, but maybe a bit unatural. The tams sounded very....crispy to my ears. I feel like the engineers made a point to bring this moment out. The organ was well balanced, and the choirs are really forward. I really liked Manny Laureano's trumpet playing, especially his sound on the Monette. 
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: Konsgaard on January 20, 2019, 05:46:17 PM
Hi! I'm the one who thought the bells are not very audible. After listening to the recording many times I am not bothered anymore, it mostly has to do with the sound of the deep bells rather than the recorded sound. I mean you can hear them OK, it's just there are other recordings where they are way more prominent. Anyway, I didn't care much for Vanska's 5th or 6th but this Resurrection is really good. You can read my full review here:
https://thehigharts.com/mahler-symphony-2-resurrection-vanska-minnesota-orchestra/

But to cut a long story short there is much to admire. The highlights are:

-The precision of the string playing in the first movement.
-The Andante which is shaped with great care, listen to the portamentos and the left-right separation of the strings. Here the Andante really sings!
-The clarity of the finale.

Weaknesses? I'd have preferred a more European sound from both soloists and choir and slower tempos overall. But this is a very fine Mahler 2nd (and this comes from someone who doesn't always agree with Vanska's lean treatment of the orchestra in other recordings). Not a "spiritual" Resurrection but well played nonetheless.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on January 21, 2019, 05:00:14 AM
Thanks. Whn listening on e-classical, the deep bells are very present to me. I guess playback can have so much to do with the results. In this recording, they are using true bells rather than the ubiquitous rolling rack of tubular chimes (holy doorbells). I assume that you're aware that the deep bells are not written to just play whatever, willy-nilly. Instead, Mahler writes very precise alternating salvos between the two gongs (tam-tam) and three bells. Some conductors do have the bells play ad lib, but that's not what's written. What I liked on this recording, is that I could hear ALL of the salvos from both gongs and all three bells. That rarely happens.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: Konsgaard on January 22, 2019, 05:05:04 PM
Yes, I am aware of the bells in the score. Indeed some conductors take liberties and I don't mind them as long as the effect is pleasant to my ears. Jansons BR Mahler 2 uses some really high pitched bells and they are all over the place (also played so alarmingly you'd think the village is on fire).
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on January 23, 2019, 12:54:53 AM
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRtl5v1yywYojjWVuN27qNeCHR2d6G9iS_IvXQeLBP5oO8FLLa)
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: barryguerrero on February 06, 2019, 10:02:19 PM
I received the hard disc and played it today. It's the best Mahler 2 in my collection - completely sweeps the field for me. I love the clear recording of real deep bells. They not only sound good at the end, they're terrific at the 11:15 spot in the finale (during the march). All of the offstage brass is both clear and resonant. While not huge sounding, the organ has a really nice tone quality. My only minor complaint is that there are no extra tracks for the finale. Still, I really like this one. The first one minute of the opening movement is best I've ever heard - it really sets the mood. The scherzo is really good as well. To me, this is by far the best release among the three, so far, in this Minnesota/BIS cycle. I'm hopeful they'll do a 7th symphony that's as detailed as this one.
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: John Kim on February 08, 2019, 06:53:13 PM
Barry,

Agreed.

Vanska's is the best Resurrection I have heard in recent years.

Tempos are broad but as you noticed Vanska is closer to Tennstedt than Maazel in distributing tempos and managing them. I really like the 1st movt, particularly the first few minutes as you said. The ending is great with organ, tam tam, bells all clearly and authentically audible.

I wish BIS had inserted several tracks for V so that I can jump to the conclusion. The same problem was with Fischer. Sigh ...

John
Title: Re: Vanska/MO/BIS Mahler 2nd SACD
Post by: Freddy van Maurik on February 12, 2019, 12:58:21 PM
Wow!
I got this a week or two ago, but after reading Barry's comments I took the time to listen to it yesterday. This is indeed a very, very good M2.
But to me, the bells even sound quite loud... I, too, like to be able to hear them, but I'm not sure if I find it entirely authentic. It almost seems like they were recorded separately, to my ears. But that's a minor issue with this great performance and recording.

And as far as a lack of separate tracks for the finale go: I don't mind; I usually listen to the entire piece. Anyway, I've always been taught not to "jump to conclusions", John...

Cheers,
Freddy