Levine's Partial Mahler Cycle on RCA being released as a boxed set

[John Kim]

Nice to have this set back with some great sound. My only bark is that almost all the symphonies are split between 2 discs, I imagine done to keep discs to a minimum and cost down. It makes for a lot of changing for us with single disc systems.

But the original releases of the M3, M6, M7, M10 all had TWO discs. So, we can't really complain about the new packaging (the M4, M5 both are on a single disc in this set).

John,

[Don]

For the price and great performances, I really should not complain!

[brunumb]

There should be a law in CD production that states : "No work shall be split over multiple CDs unless it is unavoidable".

In the case of Levine's Mahler, several of the symphonies that can often be accommodated on a single disc were too long and the splits were unavoidable.  At least the layout is still sensible.  The Bertini box has a number of splits that could have been handled better by using just one more disc.  Splitting M4 is ridiculous for example. Cost can't really be an issue.  You get free CDs with magazines, newspapers and even advertising. 

[brunumb]

This set will be released in the UK on the 4th April and Presto have it at an incredible bargain price.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/RCA/88697686092

[Roffe]

The box seems already available in the US from Amazon vendors at $27.

Roffe

[bluesbreaker]

It's a pity that Levine did not record M2 and M8.
I attended his M8 performance as his debut as BSO's director in 2004, and it was a unforgettable experience. I would love to see it released one day.

[waderice]

It's a pity that Levine did not record M2 and M8. I attended his M8 performance as his debut as BSO's director in 2004, and it was a unforgettable experience. I would love to see it released one day.

Airchecks circulate of Levine's M8 NYPO performance from the 'seventies, if you're able to locate a copy from a source.  Better that than none at all.

Wade

[Roffe]

A Levine M2 seems to exist, a live recording from 1989 with Israel PO. After receiving the 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 box the other day and having a virtual Levine/Mahler orgy the last couple of days, and liking what I hear, I'm almost inclined to buy this M2 set, although somewhat pricey at $23.46 + P&P (only $3.5 cheaper than what I paid for the 10-disc box, $27.15 + P&P).

Does anyone here on this board have any idea about this recording? Is it good technically and artistically?

Roffe

Link to Levine's M2:
http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-No-2-Gustav/dp/B004DKDO06/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1300346161&sr=1-1

[James Meckley]

There was a digital webcast of Levine's October 9, 2010 Boston Symphony performance of M2 in pretty good sound; it circulated on the Internet for a while though I don't know of its current availability.

James

[barry guerrero]

A friend sent me an e-mail saying that it doesn't have any or much organ.

[Romy The Cat]

There was a digital webcast of Levine's October 9, 2010 Boston Symphony performance of M2 in pretty good sound; it circulated on the Internet for a while though I don't know of its current availability.

James

The performance was quite boring….

[waderice]

There was a digital webcast of Levine's October 9, 2010 Boston Symphony performance of M2 in pretty good sound; it circulated on the Internet for a while though I don't know of its current availability.

James

The performance was quite boring….

See my response under the topic, "A great Mahler for Mahler Haters?"

Wade

[James Meckley]

A friend sent me an e-mail saying that it doesn't have any or much organ.

I consider the organ balance perfectly acceptable. It doesn't knock you over, but it's very clearly "there."

James

[Roffe]

I was checking Amazon.co.uk and there you can buy the Levine box for GBP 17.99. On the other hand if toy want only M1, you can get it for GBP 19.24, or M10 for GBP 27.95. Interesting pricing, to say the least. They can't have many customers buying M1 or M10 separately.

Roffe

[Roffe]

On my set of discs in the box (CD8), Marilyn Horne is presented as a soprano. Mezzo-soprano is the correct denomination.

Roffe