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41

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Compared boatload of M6 recordings for the last 8 minutes of the Finale . .

« Last post by barryguerrero on August 09, 2024, 10:37:57 PM »

I'm not a fan of Karjan's M6 DG recording at all, except for the from the last allegro "charge!" section to the end. The hammer-strokes are underpowered. The scherzo is on the slow side, while the various trio sections are ever slower. The "Andante Moderato" is made into an Adagio, etc., etc. There's a live recording on Youtube of Karajan doing it in Paris that strikes me as flowing better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkdPc4f8qMs&t=3s

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Compared boatload of M6 recordings for the last 8 minutes of the Finale . .

« Last post by John Kim on August 09, 2024, 10:24:12 PM »

I like Karajan's M6th quite a lot, especially III.Adagio & IV. Finale. I. is pretty good too but I can't stand with the super fast coda. II.
 Scherzo sounds all wrong to me, sadly.

John

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Compared boatload of M6 recordings for the last 8 minutes of the Finale . .

« Last post by barryguerrero on July 31, 2024, 03:04:20 PM »

I compared a huge boatload of M6 recordings last night - just for the last 8 minutes or so of the Finale. By far, for me, the winner is Karajan! That's in spite of the fact that I'm not that fond of his first three movements, nor the less than imposing hammer strokes. I really should investigate the various 'live' Karajan M6 bootlegs that are out there. 

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / I am really liking these Y. Sado/Vienna Tonkunster/Musikverein Mahler recordings

« Last post by barryguerrero on July 24, 2024, 05:46:52 PM »

I've been going through Sado/Tonkunstler Mahler recordings at Spotify (I know, I know; I shouldn't be using Spotify). I think these are by far the best sounding Mahler recordings to have been captured in Vienna's narrow shoebox, known as the Musikverein.

It's a hall that has very good acoustics when you're there, but seems to be difficult to record. Back 'in the day', Decca used a completely different venue, the Sofiensaal, as a recording studio. That's where the classic Z. Mehta/V.P.O. M2 was made (as well as the overhyped Solti M8 [that I loathe]).

Anyway, I'm amazed how good the playing is in these live recordings. Since there is little if any 'spot miking' being used, sometimes softer detail, such as harp parts, don't come through clearly. Still, it's amazing how good they sound in spite of that fact. When I spent time in Vienna in 1981, the Tonkunstler was little more than a very good community orchestra. Clearly things have changed. The few Fabio Luisi/V.S.O. Mahler recordings that exist don't sound anywhere as good. Those were made in the larger Konzerthaus, I believe.

I listened to the complete M1 last night and thoroughly enjoyed (funny that there isn't a decent V.P.O. M1 recording). I'm looking forward to hearing their M6, and am VERY MUCH looking forward to an eventual M8 and M9. Maybe they'll eventually put them in sort sort of box set - who knows!

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by barryguerrero on July 21, 2024, 07:46:36 PM »

As of right now, I have hard copies of Sado's M2, M3 and M7. I wouldn't mind owning the others either. I want to see just how good his eventual M8 and M9 will be. That orchestra sure sounds like it might give the VPO a run for its money, if the VPO isn't using the A-team on a particular gig or recording.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by John Kim on July 19, 2024, 10:48:53 PM »

Timings of Sado M6th are,

I: 23'47", II (Scherzo): 13'29", III. (Andante): 17'17", IV: 32'04".

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by John Kim on July 19, 2024, 10:24:00 PM »

I VERY MUCH LIKE Sado's M4th and M7th. They are top notch recordings and performances.

John

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by John Kim on July 19, 2024, 10:22:19 PM »

Erik

Did you check my message sent a while ago? Looks like you didn't.

Bychkov's will be a glorious M6th^

John

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by erikwilson7 on July 19, 2024, 04:39:43 PM »

That Bychkov M6 is certainly one I'm interested in too.

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Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sado / Tonkünstler-Orchester Mahler 6 slated for late September release

« Last post by barryguerrero on July 19, 2024, 04:01:09 PM »

Yep, another 'expansive' reading, with a Karajan like Adagio treatment of the slow movement. My guess is that it'll be both gorgeous sounding and powerful. I think Sado was strongly influenced by Bernstein. But perhaps he was a Karajan fan as well. Anyway, these are among the best sounding recordings to come out of that small shoebox known as the Musikverein, Mahler or otherwise.

I may not buy this, but I'll certainly listen to it at a streaming service. I'm waiting for the Bychov/Czech Phil. M6 to EVENTUALLY come out.