brief samples of Zinman M5; Harding/VPO M10

[barry guerrero]

Here's a taste of the upcoming Zinman M5. I feel that the first and third movement samples sound particularly good.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/home/detail/-/hnum/1511301/iampartner/a98/lang/en/currency/USD

Now here's the Harding/VPO M10, which sounds very promising.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/SESSIONID/0e21ccc407cda70b34efcde50e863435/home/detail/-/hnum/5101837

Enjoy.

[je-b]

I bought the Harding VPO M10 yesterday since it's already available here in Germany. I'm not even through with the first listening session, so I can't say anything much right now - only that I was immediately stunned by the incredibly beautiful playing of the Vienna Philharmonic whose characteristic sound is better captured here than on most recent discs I think.

[Leo K]

WOW...the Zinman M5 sounds fantastic!  Especially the trumpet in the opening measures.  From what I hear here, the sound picture is deep and wide.

--Todd

[Leo K]

And I'm very impressed with the playing on Harding's M10...now I eagerly await this release.

--Todd

[je-b]

Wow, now that I've listened to the whole thing: Get that Harding / VPO M10! I'm certainly no expert when it comes to M10 - but even in case you're not wholly satisfied with Harding's interpretation, the playing of the VPO is unbelievable (horns, low brass, and principal trumpet are particularly outstanding). The sound quality is probably the best I've heard from DG in a long, long time. Extreme dynamic range and wonderfully warm and colorful - if you've ever been to the Musikverein in Vienna itself, this comes pretty close I'd say.
Yet, I'm not sure if the sound of the VPO is weighty enough to really nail the first movement's shocking climax though. The same goes for one or two other passages as well. But just listen to those inner movements: I think I've rarely (if ever!) heard better playing than this. I admit I'm amazed.     

[Leo K]

Thanks for that report je-b, now I very primed for this performance!

[barry guerrero]

Actually, I've owned a burn-job of the Harding/VPO M10 (from the live performance) for a couple of years now. What blows me away - or freaks me out - is that the VPO play M10 with far more enthusiasm, and a genuine sense of discovery than ANY of their recordings of the Mahler 9th; which always sounds like their trying to hang a painted masterpiece up on a wall in some state funded museum. Go figure.

Barry

[Don]

I eagerly await the release of this in the US (or give in to my impatience and buy it from Europe), sounds promising from these excerpts.

Love the way the strings, especially the low strings, dig into their parts at the beginning of Scherzo I. Purgatorio has a nice pace and great winds.

[John Kim]

Those who have heard the Zinman M5th raved about it. They all said it's the best Mahler recording Zinman has made, the best of all recent Mahler recordings.

Wow

John,

[sbugala]

Any word on whether this is a near mid-priced cd like others from the cycle?  Amazon had it for $25, which is much more than the $13.98 of the Mahler 1 and 4.  I was hoping that's a Japanese import or something, rather than the "normal" release.

[barry guerrero]

Well, that's nice to hear. At this point, I plan on collecting the entire Zinman cycle. To me, it's the modern day equivalent of the old Kubelik cycle (less quick, but better recorded).

Barry

[Leo K]

At one time Amazon listed a release date for the Harding M10 and Zinman M5, but now I can't find those dates. 


--Todd

[Leo K]

Those who have heard the Zinman M5th raved about it. They all said it's the best Mahler recording Zinman has made, the best of all recent Mahler recordings.

Wow

John,

John,

Have you seen some reviews on the internet?  Or were you talking with friends who heard this?

I can't wait to hear the Zinman M5!

--Todd

[John Kim]

Todd,

Yes I have seen a rave review but it's all in Korean

I says something like, "Zinman's M5th ranks with the very best on a par with Bernstein and Rattle. The most extraordinary movt. is II. where Zinman's reading truly shines with unmatched level of depth and freshness. He also extracts many details I've never heard before. Zinman's momentum carries all the way through the Finale in orchestral sound that has strong bass and lots of meat. I have never imagined Tonhalle orchestra will sound this good in Mahler."

He said it's the best Mahler Zinman and his orchestra have delivered so far.

John,