Think I'm rough on the MTT/SFSO cycle? . . look at this

[barry guerrero]

Check out the third review down - the one after mine. I couldn't agree more.

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-8-Erin-Wall/dp/B002HGCWCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252010229&sr=8-1

[John Kim]

Overall, I agree with this reviewer on the MTT Mahler cycle. Like I said, and as this amazon reviewer agrees, MTT's best entries in the cycle have been the M4th followed by M1, M2, and M9. I have absolutely nothing to quibble about this Fourth. It's simply one of the great Mahler recordings and the very best M4ths. OTOH, I have reservations about the M3 and M5-M8 with M3 being the most problematic and letdown. That said, I do think this Eighth is rather special for the splendid orchestra and singing, if nothing else. I'd also recommend the M7 for the excellent Finale and some nice touches in the middle movts.

I haven't heard the DLVDE and DKL yet.

John,

[John Kim]

Must complain about the M8th again:

That "Veni, Ve~~~ni" thing at the start of recapitulation in Part I. is really annoying . Otherwise, a very fine Part I. despite the blazingly fast ending.

John,

[Leo K]

Based on what I've heard of MTT's cycle so far...thats a fair summary.  I'm a real big fan of the orchestra's sound, so perhaps this is one of the big reasons this is my favorite cycle.  

Besides the M3, M4 and M6, I haven't really studied each score in detail, so honestly I can't really detect when a rubato is called for or not...or when space or tempo is wrong...so frankly this aspect never bothers me or gets me off track with enjoyment.  Interventionist doesn't concern me, unless it's Klemp's M7!  Perhaps that makes me too forgiveing, but hey, these SFSO recordings have really grown on me and continue to reveal marvelous details along the way.  

Bravo SFSO and MTT!!


--Todd

[barry guerrero]

Bravo SFSO and MTT!!

.    .    I would have rather had Zinman here. I don't know just how close he was to getting the gig here. In Europe, a conductor doesn't have to "press the flesh" (PR work) quite so much.

It also shouldn't be forgotten that Edo De Waart did some very, VERY good Mahler in Davies Hall as well. And that was before they fixed the sound problems in Davies.

[Russ Smiley]

.....It also shouldn't be forgotten that Edo De Waart did some very, VERY good Mahler in Davies Hall as well. And that was before they fixed the sound problems in Davies.

I recall a concert broadcast heard while driving somewhere long ago of M4 with de Waart/SFO.  At the time I knew recordings by only Mehta/Israel/Hendricks and Previn/Pittsburgh/Ameling.  I recall thinking that I preferred that SFO performance and wondered if I'd ever see it on disc: no such luck.