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41

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by John Kim on January 18, 2026, 11:39:46 PM »

26 Euro (=$30.16) for the 2 discs including everything is not bad^ Plz let me know when it arrives. I might order form them too^

John

42

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by barryguerrero on January 18, 2026, 10:24:58 PM »

Through the Tonkunstler's website, they sold the set for 20 Euros. There were two options for shipping. I paid for the most expensive, 6 Euro option. Then I e-mailed them to see if the order went through OK. They told me they had already shipped it, so I guess the 6 Euro option suffices for the shipping. Coming from Austria, it's going to take a while. I don't know if the tariffs goons have to assess it as well. I shouldn't think so, but nothing surprises me today.

43

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Barry's Best Mahler Recording For 2025 Award

« Last post by John Kim on January 18, 2026, 09:33:31 PM »

Scott

I am very glad you liked Bychkov M3rd. You mentioned the accuracy of Czech percussion in this recording. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I've never heard another performance where all the percussion notes are so meticulously struck at the right moments. Here is a case in point: in the coda of III. there are two places where tam tam is supposed to strike 'da dan' (two 1/8 notes). Bychkov's is the only recording where I can hear them clearly and accurately at the right spots. I don't recall any other recordings getting them correct let alone audible.

John

44

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by John Kim on January 18, 2026, 08:25:20 PM »

Throughout its 87 min. duration, it constantly reminded me that Mahler was, after all, a 'songful' composer. Under the direction of Yutaka Sado, the whole symphony SINGS; there were times when I was humming and singing along the music, especially where the singers entered. 😄

The coda of Part II., which is drawn out to a heavenly length by Sado, will CHOKE YOU, choke your body and soul!^ Never have the closing pages of Mahler 8th been played with more power, ecstasy, and elevation since Vaclav Neumann did with Czech Philharmonic orchestra some 45 years ago.

John

PS Throughout, organ is very strong and loud especially in climactic passages, e.g., the codas of Part I. & II.

45

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by John Kim on January 18, 2026, 08:11:33 PM »

Barry,

Please let us know how your ordering the physical CD went.

Did they indeed ship it to the States for the S&H fee listed on their site?

John

46

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by John Kim on January 18, 2026, 07:59:05 PM »

I've heard a radio archive of the concert and I QUITE LIKED IT.

Sado's is a monumental Mahler 8th where singing of the soloists - powerful, heroic, and lyrical - takes the central foreground leading the rest of 1,000 players (as per 'Symphony of a Thousand') towards the apotheotic conclusions of Part I. & Part II.

John

47

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by barryguerrero on January 16, 2026, 10:48:35 AM »

Even Wyn Morris is less at 84:30.

48

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by erikwilson7 on January 15, 2026, 10:09:40 PM »

Wow, this is a long one! 87 minutes is around where Nagano's lands. A bit more than Boulez/Berlin.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: I'm seeing rumblings that Y. Sado/Tonkunstler M8 to be released early 2026

« Last post by barryguerrero on January 15, 2026, 08:28:29 PM »

Here are some samples of the final mix. It's going to be available first as downloads, here through Presto Classical (probably JPC as well). I have a hard copy coming from the Tonkunstler's Ticket Office. It sounds very good, but - as usual - the tenor is not the very best by any stretch.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/new-and-future-releases?date_range=Next+90+Days&search_query=mahler

50

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Barry's Best Mahler Recording For 2025 Award

« Last post by sperlsco on January 15, 2026, 06:11:26 PM »

Hands down, my favorite Mahler release for 2025 was the Semyon Bychkov/Czech Phil. M3 on Pentatone. For me, it presses ALL the right buttons.

I just finished listening to this last night and came here to see if anything had been posted about it. I absolutely LOVE this performance.  Now grant you, I haven't listened to an M3 in a few years so there is some getting reacquainted for me.  The whole orchestra sounds amazing and I am thrilled that the percussion is prominent at all the right moments, like the first movement southern storm.  The trombones in the finale gave me goosebumps.  Although Bychkov has one or two gratuitous slow-downs, he is superb at building and releasing tension.  I have a vague recollection that the final timpani strokes are supposed to be quieter as they reach the end, whereas here they are maximized.  Bychkov's way works for me. 

I am going to make time to listen to my standard-bearer M3 Bernstein/NYPO/Sony because the Bychkov one strikes me as on that level after 1 1/6 listenings (I listened to the finale twice).