Haitink/CSO M9

[Roland Flessner]

Tonight I heard Haitink and the CSO in M9. Excellent concert! The performance had a genuine narrative sweep and was sharply characterized.

Haitink, whatever else you may think of him, has a genius for making the CSO sound good in the troubled acoustics of Orchestra Hall. I had the misfortune of hearing Barenboim conduct M9 here a few years ago. This was a night and day difference. Instead of Barenboim's grey sonic sludge in the louder sections, the orchestra remained transparent throughout.

[John Kim]

Thanks.

Do you know if they - CSO label - recorded the concert for a future CD release?

John,

[sperlsco]

Thanks.

Do you know if they - CSO label - recorded the concert for a future CD release?

John,

This is probably the ONE thing that I'd like to hear from the CSO/Haitink team! 

[John Kim]

I heard Haitink's another recent concert of M9th with RCO WAS taped for a future RCO release.

So, that's good news

John,

[Roland Flessner]

I'd be surprised if this series of concerts is not being recorded for CSO Resound. However, this was the first of the series and definitely had some rough spots. One of the later concerts will probably be a better source.

We all know about the electricity of a live event, but I miss studio recordings. When you're going to be listening repeatedly, that extra precision and refinement is important. I like Haitink's CSO M6 but it is ragged in spots.

[barry guerrero]

"I like Haitink's CSO M6 but it is ragged in spots"

I think it's too polished. If anything, it's possibly THE most boring and blunted Mahler 6th ever recorded. There's absolutely nothing frightening or 'expressionistic' about it except for the sheer volume of the brass (which I know has a lot to do with the shallowness of the stage). I think I gave it 3 or 4 stars at Amazon, and now wish I had only given it two. Different strokes for different folks. 

[Michael]

I am going to see the Haitink/CSO M9 tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon with my mother.  This will be my first time seeing a professional orchestra (and my first live Mahler concert), and I am very excited--certainly much more so than my mother.  ;-)  This next week is also my last week of high school, so the timing could not be better to hear a live M9.  With that said, I really hope the CSO records and releases a CD from this weekend, as I have a feeling this performance is something I will not want to forget anytime soon.

The band director from my school was there on Thursday night and also gave an excellent report, save for the horn playing which he said was not too great.  He did mention the wonderful playing of the strings--especially in the Adagio--as did the newspaper reviews I found online.  One review I found indicated that the performance was "82 minutes of music," so it looks like this M9 will be on two discs if it is indeed released.

BTW, for what it's worth, Barry, one is able to go in and edit reviews (and ratings) on Amazon...I edited one of my reviews just last weekend and the ratings appear to be able to be modified.

[James Meckley]

One review I found indicated that the performance was "82 minutes of music," so it looks like this M9 will be on two discs if it is indeed released.

It's now possible—and not at all uncommon—to exceed the original 80-minute time limit on compact discs. For instance, Christian Thielemann's Bruckner 5 on DG is 82:34 on a single disc.

I hope the CSO Mahler 9 tomorrow is everything you hope it will be and that it is indeed worthy of being remembered for a lifetime.

My first Mahler symphony with a major orchestra also involved the CSO: Mahler 8 in 1971 (40 years ago!) with Sir George Solti, shortly before they went to Vienna to make their famous recording.

James

[Roffe]

James, And I bet you've got the SCO/Solti recording (at least I have).

My first M symphony with a major orchestra was M5 with the Cleveland Orchestra and Lorin Maazel on a European tour in the early 80's.

Some live performances seem to be etched into my brain, my fisrt M3, a couple of M5's my 1st and only M8 and so on......

I truly hope, Michael, that this CSO M9 will be a memory that even Mr. Alzheimer can't take away from you 70 years from now.

Roffe

[Michael]

Thank you, guys!  I will let everyone know my reactions tomorrow.

[Leo K]

Thank you, guys!  I will let everyone know my reactions tomorrow.

I am really looking forward to your thoughts! 

--Todd

[James Meckley]

James, And I bet you've got the CSO/Solti recording (at least I have).

Yes, certainly. Because of the personal connection I feel to that particular recording, I've owned just about every "version" to come out since its initial release—the domestic London LPs, the British Decca LPs, the Ampex Dolby-B open reel tape, and most of the many CD incarnations that have appeared, including the 2008 Japanese SHM-CD. Each remastering effort sounds a bit different from the others, but none can overcome the basic engineering problems on that recording.

James

[Roland Flessner]

James, And I bet you've got the CSO/Solti recording (at least I have).

Yes, certainly. Because of the personal connection I feel to that particular recording, I've owned just about every "version" to come out since its initial release—the domestic London LPs, the British Decca LPs, the Ampex Dolby-B open reel tape, and most of the many CD incarnations that have appeared, including the 2008 Japanese SHM-CD. Each remastering effort sounds a bit different from the others, but none can overcome the basic engineering problems on that recording.

James

Nor could even the most expert remastering surgically remove Solti from the podium and replace him with a conductor who understands counterpoint.

[Roland Flessner]

Michael, enjoy your concert tomorrow! We'll be waiting for your reactions . . .

Some people here in Chicago think that Haitink is not coming back after this season, but he is scheduled to lead two sets of concerts in October, one with Haydn's "Creation" and the other with the Berg Violin Concerto and M4.

Other Mahler on the CSO schedule next season: M6 with Salonen in December, M1 with Jaap von Zweden in December, DLvdE with Boulez, Michelle DeYoung and Stuart Skelton in March.

[Michael]

I will be sure to let everyone know how it goes.  Someone commented on Twitter that he did not think there were recording plans for this set of concerts, but I hope that is incorrect.