Schwarz/RLPO/Artek M6th CD - I have seen it!

[John Kim]

Yes, I did at a Silver Platter store in downtown Seattle. Timings were like,

I. 21'50"
II. 15'50"
III. 13'
IV. 28'

They are pretty close to what I recall from attending a concert in early 2000's which was outstanding and earth-shaking.

John,

[Russ Smiley]

John,

Maybe you can clarify some confusion of mine regarding the Schwarz M6.

Amazon shows an image of the back cover (http://tinyurl.com/dhzrd6).  It indicates an S/A order to the inner movements.

The sound samples, however, are in A/S.  From these I had suspected that maybe the samples weren't from the RLPO reciording (Amazon has made that mistake before).

However, the times that you reported (II. 15'50", III. 13') appear to correspond to the A/S order, too.

Can you confirm which order it is?

Russ

[John Kim]

Russ,

Yes, I checked the timings and the order of the movts. while I was in the store. It was A/S order as indicated by the timings. But when he conducted Seattle Symphony, it was in the S/A order. In my memory, it was one of the best played, the most tightly structured, and thunderous (whatever it means) performances of the Sixth I ever heard. Schwarz's handling of the Scherzo was really impressive; never before I heard the roaring low brass so vividly brought out. The whole orchestra played as if possessed. They played the symphony again two seasons ago with A/S order but this time the ensemble wasn't all that great. I hope this new recording  will more or less reflect the earlier concert.

John,

P.S. I will pick it up next time I visit the store with a coupon 

[Russ Smiley]

Evidently someone changed their mind after designing the back cover:

[John Kim]

Russ,

I am pretty darn sure that what I saw on the back of the jewel box was II. Andante III. Scherzo 

John,

[Leo K]

Man, thanks for the heads up John!  I just ordered this at amazon...I really hope it sounds as good as the Schwarz M7...


--Todd

[Russell]

Seems like we've had a flurry of new M6 recordings recently: Levine/BSO (BSO download), Gatti/ONF (iTunes download), Zinman/TOZ (well, not so new, but still not available here in the US), and now this new Schwarz.  It's hard to keep up!

Russell

[John Kim]

Of all the recent M6ths I've heard, I'd rate the Zinman the best. It has grown on me quite a lot and A/S order or not it is extremely well thought-out, very thoughtful recording with fabulous playing and sonics. I will never be tired of listening to it.

Fischer's version is also pretty good, but I have some reservations about the two middle movts. They sound undercharacterized and somewhat one-dimensional. Some may prefer them done this way because they might actually fit nicely between the two gigantic, ferocious outer movts. But for me, it is Zinman who makes stronger points about the music and its overall structure.

John,