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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

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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). 

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

« Last post by erikwilson7 on January 12, 2026, 07:20:07 AM »

I hear what you’re referring to at the end of the M1 recording, John. Frankly, I think the sound of the orchestra being pushed to its limit can be both good and bad. Of course it can lead to what sounds like rough playing. But sometimes that sound of the orchestra pushing themselves beyond their normal capabilities sounds exciting and human to me, a quality that can often be lost in the world’s finest orchestras like Vienna or Berlin.
Not that I think there’s anything wrong with incredible and virtuosic performance either! 

PS It’s very neat that you’re able to hear Zweden and the SPO live, despite any shortcomings.

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

« Last post by John Kim on January 12, 2026, 06:50:48 AM »

Erik

I've heard live concerts of Zweden/SPO and can testify that there are pros and cons in their collaboration. Whenever they play large scaled repertoires like Bruckner, Mahler, or Shostakovich, they seem to be in a fine shape, but when tackling more classical programs, e.g., Beethoven or Brahms Zweden pushes the orchestra to their limit and the result could be mercilessly out of shape and out of synchronization. It seemed that at times SPO just couldn't catch with the brutal pace and dynamics their MD asked for. On their recordings of M1st I can hear some trace of this issue: the coda of IV moves too fast and wild for the SPO players to feel comfortable. The sonics, as you mentioned, are another problem here. Hopefully, their M2 will be better^

John

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

« Last post by erikwilson7 on January 09, 2026, 02:27:40 PM »

Don't overlook the Zweden/Seoul series going on. It's quite good so far! 7 and 1 are out, and both have my stamp of approval. I believe 2 is next, if the releases continue following the orchestra's performance history. He conducts 4 and 6 this year.

The audio quality could be better, but I really like what Zweden does with this music and the orchestra is fantastic. These are quite different than what they've done previously with Myung-whun Chung ― more now in the lane of Kubelík than Bernstein, for basic comparison.

Zweden is now in his third year of a 5-year tenure there, and has said he plans to complete a Mahler "odyssey" there during his time.

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

« Last post by barryguerrero on January 08, 2026, 10:06:00 PM »

Chris and Eric, I feel exactly the same as you both do. I want the Bychkov cycle completed on recordings, and I would like to hear more from the Payare/Montreal team in Mahler. I also feel the P. Jarvi/Tonhalle Mahler recordings are a mixed bag thus far. I like his earlier Frankfurt ones better for both M1 and M5 (on video).

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

« Last post by erikwilson7 on January 08, 2026, 03:53:07 PM »

I saw the Payare/Montreal team released an album this year that contained Ruckert-Lieder; hopefully they'll have more coming than that. That Fifth is really amazing to me too, being my current go-to recording.

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

« Last post by ChrisH on January 08, 2026, 03:18:23 PM »

The Bychkov/Mahler 3 is my top recording of the year and one of my favorite recordings of the work, period. I'd also go along with Erin and his choice of the Rattle/M7. Generally not that big of fan of Rattle, but this one hit the right spots for me. Perhaps it's the outstanding playing of the BRSO.

Honestly, the Jarvi/Tonhalle M1 didn't do much for me. A bit too swift for my tastes. The Jarvi/M5 was a mixed bag. Really liked the Scherzo and the finale, but felt that the entire thing lacked any sort of power.

Hopefully, we can see a complete cycle from Bychkov. It would be disappointing to not get the rest. Especially the 6th and 7th. Looking forward to those, if we get them. I was also hoping to get some Mahler this year from Payare/Montreal. That 5th from 2024 is outstanding. After listening I traded a few emails with one of their trumpet players and he said to be on the look out for more. It'd be nice if that came to fruition, too.

 

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

« Last post by John Kim on January 07, 2026, 06:25:51 PM »

Barry

I see LOTS of 'views' but few contribute to post. I don't know why.

John

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

« Last post by barryguerrero on January 04, 2026, 04:54:51 AM »

You two did a great job here. I wish we could get more folks to chime in.