I received this recording today and I am very impressed
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One thing that immediately grabbed my attention was the crystal clear sound Sony engineers captured from the Mann Auditorium. It's remastered via SBM technology. The dynamic range is huge, so when the big climaxes arrive they impart a full impact.
Mehta's approach is basically not all that different from the LAPO recording, but here the orchestra is more disciplined and refined. That, unfortunately somewhat robs the performance of some romantic feel, yielding a more dissecting and objective interpretation.
None of these matter to me because I still love the beautiful sound of the orchestra and recording and that counts a lot in M3rd.
The Scherzo which boasts the most poetic playing in the post horn solo is one of the best I ever heard. Listen to the outburst of tam tam at the end!
John,