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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples of M7 w/ P. Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle/Alpha

« Last post by barryguerrero on February 06, 2026, 08:19:33 PM »

.   .  .   in my opinion, the same thing that happened to Tilson-Thomas. Once they're authorized to record a full cycle, they then think they have to come up an 'interpretation' - their own personal stamp.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples are up for all 9 symphonies: Bychkov/C.P.O./Pentatone

« Last post by barryguerrero on February 06, 2026, 08:17:22 PM »

The performance I saw him conduct of M6 in Berkeley with the Vienna Phil. was really terrific. I liked it far, far better than seeing Bernstein do it with the V.P.O. at Carnegie Hall (which certainly had its moments). It was like the Sanderling one, where it just had an accumulative effect as it went along. Powerful but never bogged down. 

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples of M7 w/ P. Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle/Alpha

« Last post by John Kim on February 06, 2026, 05:04:42 PM »

> However, I just don't like Jarvi's now mannered and excessively fussy conducting.

---> That's precisely my point and view of Jarvi's Mahler cycle so far. Listen to his M1st and the mannerism and fussiness are even worse. What has become of Jarvi, the once king of cogency & consistency??

John

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples are up for all 9 symphonies: Bychkov/C.P.O./Pentatone

« Last post by John Kim on February 06, 2026, 05:02:07 PM »

Oh, man, every track of the M6-9 sounds TERRIFIC!

This M6th is markedly FASTER than what I heard in a live archive and sounds very energetic and exciting^

I can't wait^

John

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples of M7 w/ P. Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle/Alpha

« Last post by erikwilson7 on February 06, 2026, 05:00:28 PM »

Agreed on all points on this recording based on the samples. I'm annoyed about them splitting the movements into several tracks, too. They did that for the M1.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Samples of M7 w/ P. Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle/Alpha

« Last post by barryguerrero on February 06, 2026, 08:49:23 AM »

Naaaah, this isn't for me. The sound is good and the playing is very good. However, I just don't like Jarvi's now mannered and excessively fussy conducting. I like his earlier Frankfurt performances more, which were captured on video. The 7th was particularly good from Frankfurt. I just don't like what he does here. I'm reminded very much of how Tilson-Thomas made a fine and very straight forward M7 in London (L.S.O.) for RCA, been then did his freak circus remake in S.F., where the first movement was about 1.5 times faster than the finale.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9843183--mahler-symphony-no-7#tracklist

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Samples are up for all 9 symphonies: Bychkov/C.P.O./Pentatone

« Last post by erikwilson7 on February 06, 2026, 12:40:34 AM »

I am very surprised at the quicker tempo to the start of M6, and the movement is still 25 minutes.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Samples are up for all 9 symphonies: Bychkov/C.P.O./Pentatone

« Last post by barryguerrero on February 05, 2026, 09:48:08 PM »

Oh, man, just play the start of Mahler 8. The sound is fantastic. I really like what I'm hearing on these samples. Even the tenor in M8 sounds OK (not great, but not at all bad either). I really like that Bychkov gets the First Nachtmusik in M7 up to 16 minutes, but also gets the finale in at 17:12. And I'm very curious to hear what John thinks of the start of M9. There's a lot of solo horn in the mix, and the solo hornist plays it just a tad flat in pitch (which I like). I'm reminded of Barry Tuckwell on Solti's L.S.O. recording of M9. I love how they dig into the start of the Laendler movement, with strong horn trills made audible (second movement). I think this might turn out to be a really get set.

https://www.pentatonemusic.com/product/gustav-mahler-symphonies-1-9/

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: So it's official: Pentatone issuing a 1-9 Bychkov Mahler box

« Last post by barryguerrero on February 03, 2026, 06:07:20 PM »

Right, and when they give you extra tracks for the Finale, I skip over the slow and quiet choral part anyway. It always sounds the same: a bunch of people singing slow and quietly. It's a lot of unison singing as well.

I'm sure there are choir people who the same thing in reverse: "I skip over all the loud orchestral parts, because it always sounds the same: loud and orchestral."

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: So it's official: Pentatone issuing a 1-9 Bychkov Mahler box

« Last post by erikwilson7 on February 03, 2026, 02:39:07 PM »

Bychkov does something similar to Chailly's RCO recording: The first four movements are typical pacing, but the finale is extra long. If there's any movement in the M2 that ought to be stretched out, it's that one.