complete Boulez Mahler box

[barry guerrero]

http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Mahler-1860-1911_000000000019272/item_Complete-Symphonies-etc-Boulez-Chicago-SO-Vienna-PO-Staatskapelle-Berlin-Cleveland-Orchestra-etc-14CD_5541334

Say what you will, there's A LOT of good stuff in this cycle. Many of the vocalists are terrific.

[umbernisitani]

I started collecting this cycle piece by piece only a year ago and completed it in August.  Now DG releases it in a big, cheap box.  I feel a bit cheated, but the individual discs have de la Grange's splendid notes, so I won't complain too much...

Regarding the performances, I have to say that most of them are splendid, as they are insightful, interesting, thought-provoking, well-played and well-recorded.  Granted, I won't agree with everything Boulez does, but at least he has something new to say about this often-played music.  His approach to Mahler as the precursor of the Second Viennese School is, at any rate, very cogent, and I respect his Mahler cycle very much for that.

I won't comment on every performance here because I've written them down some time ago here:  http://topear.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/a-consideration-of-pierre-boulezs-mahler-cycle/ 

I think it's a great palate-cleanser to those used to Bernstein, Tennstedt, or in fact everyone else.  Most highly recommended.

[justininsf]

Does anyone know if this is available in the US?

[pianobaba]

I already had about a third of the cycle, but I've lost interest. I think Boulez is good with 6, 9, Das Lied, but I was extremely disappointed with his 2nd. I think Boulez's aesthetic works well with those former three mentioned, I don't think it would work as well with the others.

[barry guerrero]

I think the "Des Knaben Wunderhorn"/M10 Adagio disc is REALLY good. FYI.

[umbernisitani]

I found 6 and 9 to be less interesting than the rest of the cycle (as I mentioned in my review).  But one can't help respecting the audacity Boulez brings in his more controversial Mahler performances such as his Second, and to some ears, DLvdE.  Whether his aesthetic suits the music is, I believe, purely a matter of personal taste.

[barry guerrero]

Well, his is like pretty much anybody else's Mahler: some are better than others. But he always had pretty good singers (save "DLvdE", where I can't stand either singer, and Urmana is recorded way too close), great orchestras, and he certainly doesn't slobber all over the music. I would take his cycle over Tilson Thomas' any day. That's just me.

[hrandall]

I won't comment on every performance here because I've written them down some time ago here:  http://topear.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/a-consideration-of-pierre-boulezs-mahler-cycle/ 

I think it's a great palate-cleanser to those used to Bernstein, Tennstedt, or in fact everyone else.  Most highly recommended.

By some strange coincidence, I read your Boulez Mahler blog post just a few days before you posted this here and joined the forum. I really enjoyed your notes and found them very informative - thank you very much.

Every Thursday evening I listen to Mahler with some friends, and recently I wanted to illustrate how different conductors can radically alter one's perception of a work through their own interpretation. So we heard Mahler's 4th twice, back to back - first Mengelberg, and then Boulez. Now that's quite a difference!

Cheers,
Herb

[barry guerrero]

Polar opposites! And between the two, I'd probably take the Boulez. Of course, the big upgrade in sound is a factor for me.