Mahler/Kubelik in 2 Different Sets

[waderice]

There are two different Kubelik DG sets containing the Mahler symphonies:  One with the symphonies alone in a 10-disk set, as an import.  The second is apparently a domestic U.S. issue containing not only the complete Mahler symphonies, but also those of Beethoven, Schumann, and Dvorak, in a 23-disk set.  The first set (the import) costs more than the second one (the U.S. domestic).  The obvious economics here tells one to get the second domestic 23-disk set, but somehow, I feel that this set skimps, and that from the looks of the 10-disk import set, that is the preferable one, though it costs more.  Does anyone have both sets?  Can anyone say whether the masterings in both sets are different, and how they sound in comparison?

Thanks, Wade

[James Meckley]

I have the ten-disc set of Kubelík's Mahler symphonies to which you refer (green box with a black & white photograph of Alma and Gustav on the front, imported from Germany, production date 2000). It gives no indication of having been remastered, listing only the original recording locations, dates, engineers, and producers. I bought it when Amazon sold it for $25.00 a few years ago. The booklet is nothing special and the sound is adequate.

As to the Kubelík Symphony Edition, in the present state of the industry I doubt DG would go to the expense of remastering a 23-disc set and then sell it at a super-budget price. None of the reviews I've found mention anything about a remastering. To get 23 CDs for less than the price of 10 seems like a pretty easy choice to me.

Speaking of remasterings, I just bought the Blu-ray audio remastering of the Solti/Vienna Wagner Ring, now in high resolution (24/48) with all 14.5 hours on a single BD-50! I didn't buy the original deluxe edition Blu-ray box (at $240.00) because I already owned all the books and other material that came with it, but when the Blu-ray disc was released separately this week for $80.00, I jumped on it. The audio quality is a significant improvement over any prior release.

James

[waderice]

Thanks, James.  Guess I'll spring for the 23-CD set.  Your comment about the booklet is helpful.  I had come to the conclusion from input not only from you, but from over at the Mahler group on Facebook, that the mastering of either set was no different from each other.  It also doesn't hurt to add to the several Beethoven symphony cycles I already have, plus another Schumann one to the few I already have, and another Dvorak one to the one Kertesz one I have.

I bought the big Solti Wagner Ring box with the one BD disk when it first came out.  Some of the contents I already had that you mention, but not all.  The book with "Ring Resounding" is hard to read in the set compared to the original publication.  It's good now to get the Deryck Cooke production with the motives on CD (I had already had the LP, but will retire that).

Wade

[wagnerlover]

I also own the DG 10-disc set.  Beautifully conducted and played.  Sound ok.
If I were shopping today I'd buy the new 25 disc set. 
I cut my Mahlerian teeth on Kubelik's M1 and for me it still sets the standard,
db