Horenstein/London Symphony M3

[Phoenix]

Wanted to let you guys know that the Hohenstein/Proctor/London Symphony M3 is available at iTunes for download for $5.99(!)  I just downloaded it so I haven't had a chance to listen to it, therefore, I can't vouch for how good the sound is.  But, for $5.99! 

[barry guerrero]

Thanks. That's certainly a bargain.   

[AZContrabassoon]

If ever there was a Mahler recording that should always be available and preserved for future generations at any cost, this is it!

[brunumb]

Why?

[barry guerrero]

It's very good. I'm not sure that I would go that far, but it's still very, very good.

[Phoenix]

I should have checked this before I posted about the M3, but I just checked and Horenstein's Nielsen's 5th is also available (for $4.99).  I'm not certain what's going on here.  Looks like the original Unicorn-Kanchana licenses might have expired and somehow iTunes has acquired the recordings.  Whatever, the reason, it's nice to see these recordings being made available after so many years of being out of print (although I do have the CD of the Nielsen). 

Probably because of the difficulty of acquiring these recordings, they have taken on a somewhat cult status.  Although Horenstein's M3 is not my favorite, it wasn't when it was originally released in the '70s, but it is still among the better recordings.  The Nielsen, however, is still my favorite recording.  I have several recordings of the Nielsen 5th, and it is Horenstein that I think that follows the composer's instructions in the first movement and lets the snare drummer do just about anything short of throwing the drums on the floor and stomping on them in his attempt to stop the orchestra; I particularly like the rim shots.   

[James Meckley]

The Nielsen, however, is still my favorite recording.  I have several recordings of the Nielsen 5th, and it is Horenstein that I think that follows the composer's instructions in the first movement and lets the snare drummer do just about anything short of throwing the drums on the floor and stomping on them in his attempt to stop the orchestra; I particularly like the rim shots.

It is a remarkable realization of the side drum solo—one that makes all other recordings sound half-hearted by comparison. Those who've listened to this recording while following the score will notice that the side drummer—Alfred Dukes—begins his onslaught one measure too soon, stops, and then re-enters at the proper spot. I've always wondered how producer Anthony Hodgson and musical supervisor Robert Simpson both failed to notice and correct this obvious mistake.

For those who might be interested, there are two sets of instructions for the side drummer in the 1998 Critical Edition, the first at the beginning of the solo, and the second at the point at which the solo is no longer notated and becomes fully ad libitum.

[1] "From 351 to 376 the side drummer plays in his own tempo, as though determined at all costs to obstruct the music. He keeps to his own beat by following a metronome placed in front of him, set to quarter = 116."

[2] "The side drummer now improvises entirely freely with all possible fantasy, although from time to time he must pause."

James

[James Meckley]

It should be mentioned that early production runs of these Unicorn-Kanchana CDs (e.g., Horenstein's Mahler and Nielsen discs) were given to a phenomenon that's come to be known as "bronzing," whereby the silver-colored aluminium layer would gradually turn a brownish-yellow and, at some point during that process, become unplayable. Anyone owning these original CDs would be wise to rip back-up copies just to be on the safe side.

James

[akiralx]

It should be mentioned that early production runs of these Unicorn-Kanchana CDs (e.g., Horenstein's Mahler and Nielsen discs) were given to a phenomenon that's come to be known as "bronzing," whereby the silver-colored aluminium layer would gradually turn a brownish-yellow and, at some point during that process, become unplayable. Anyone owning these original CDs would be wise to rip back-up copies just to be on the safe side.

James

I'm pretty sure the Brilliant Classics reissue sounded better than the old Unicorn-Kanchana according to some folk.

[James Meckley]

I'm pretty sure the Brilliant Classics reissue sounded better than the old Unicorn-Kanchana according to some folk.

I own both of these discs and can assure you that they sound exactly the same. When someone questioned this earlier I initiated the following email exchange with Gunter Van Rompaey of Brilliant Classics:

*  *  *

James Meckley to Gunter Van Rompaey:

I have a question about the contents of your boxed set of Mahler symphonies (#99549), specifically about the recording of the third symphony, by Jascha Horenstein and the London Symphony. Is your release a direct copy of the original Unicorn CD, or did you remaster or re-equalize it in some way? In other words, should I expect your CD of this symphony to sound exactly like the original Unicorn CD, or might I expect it to sound different in some way?

Gunter Van Rompaey to James Meckley:

Thanks for your inquiry. I can indeed confirm that the recording has not been remastered and is the same as the licensed one from Unicorn. I hope this information is useful to you.

Best regards,
Gunter Van Rompaey
Team Brilliant Classics

*  *  *

So if you already have one of these discs, there's no need to waste money acquiring the other.

James

[barry guerrero]

According to Tony Duggan, there were two separate sets of microphones and two separate recorders working at the Horenstein M3 sessions. I believe that to be true in so far as that the old Nonesuch vinyl pressings sound nothing like the Unicorn-Kanchana CD issues. To my ears, the Brilliant Classics issue sounds much more like the Nonesuch vinyl pressings. I don't know if that clarifies anything - I'm simply echoing what T.D. told me. To me, the Brilliant Classic issue sounds vastly better, regardless of what the representative of Brilliant Classics said. Perhaps there is an issue with the Unicorn cd pressings (?).

The Unicorn cd pressing that I played years ago didn't show any cd rot yet. I thought it sounded like doo-doo (opaque with insufficient clarity and visceral impact), so I sold it off and kept the Nonesuch LP pressings. This is my one and only case of preferring an LP pressing to the cd.

[umbernisitani]

The interpretation is quite convincing, but I still can't get over how terribly balanced it sounds.  The severe under-prominence of the cellos and double basses make those runs in the first movement nearly inaudible, which is a shame.

[barry guerrero]

.   .    .   oh, and let me guess, you're listening to the Unicorn pressing (?). If so, you may be helping to prove your point.