I really like the Haitink/BRSO M3 - does anyone else? . . .

[barryguerrero]

Yes, Haitink is a bit under-tempo in various spots. The "southern storm" fantasy passage that caps the development section of the first movement  - that could have been done quite a bit better. And there certainly could have been more tam-tam in the coda of the third movement.  All these shortcomings are there. But what I like about the Haitink/BRSO M3 - aside from the outstanding and 'natural' sound quality - is that the playing of the BRSO sounds so 'rustic' without sloppy rhythms, out-of-tune playing or wrong notes. They make the piece sound convincingly 'outdoors-y' and folksy. 

The third movement's posthorn solo sounds gorgeous and is positioned perfectly (to my ears). The big brass chorale near the end of the finale lacks the sheer amplitude of New York or Pittsburgh, but it also sounds gorgeous with no hint of strain. I also like how the middle section of the brief "bim, bam" movement really snarls and sounds menacing. I also like the almost funky sounding trombone solo in the first movement (but with no slop). It's a Mahler 3 I just plain enjoy listening to.

Anybody else feel the same way?

[Settembrini]

I certainly agree about the posthorn solo, it's one of the most beautiful versions I know. The BRSO is one of the greatest orchestras in Germany and most of their recordings (except the ones with Jansons, a rare conductor who manages to be even more boring than Haitink) are a joy to listen to, but do we really need another Mahler 3 from Haitink?? I know it's not really the topic here, but Haitink recorded one of the great Mahler 3's out there with the RCO, the one really succesful recording from his otherwise snooze fest for Philips, and continued to record the work, including the BRSO one, three more times,  and all of these versions are inferior to the first one. And this is the conductor who complained that Mahler is over-recorded and played too often.. (which, of course, is true, but part of the problem is Haitink himself).

[barryguerrero]

You sound like David Hurwitz     .    .    .   but a very good observation , regardless. I also have the dvd from the 1987 (I think) Kerstmatinee concert.  That one is just as good as the first one, with the exception of contralto Maureen Forrester being better. 

[Settembrini]

I think David Hurwitz (does that guy actually exist by the way?) is the second worst 'critic' on the internet (Norman Lebrecht is the worst), but I know what you mean (and I'll try not to be offended ). He's right about one thing though, Haitink has no business churning out second rate Mahler recordings on inhouse labels (but this could be said about many, if not most, conductors). Of course, I don't have to listen to these releases..
Thank god the RCO isn't continuing with their RCO Live label, otherwise we would have had yet another comatose Mahler 9 from Haitink to look forward to.

The Kerstmatinee is a great recording; in general, the later Kerstmatinee recordings are better than his earlier studio ones, the 4th, with Maria Ewing, is especially beautiful, as is the 9th (if you can live with that sentimental gesture of dropping his baton at the end).

[waderice]

Haitink has/is cranking out so many M3 recordings that it's now getting confusing to keep track what's good and not-so-good about them.

Wade

[barryguerrero]

Yep. For example, the Philips dvd of a live M3 with the BPO is much better than the studio recording.

[barryguerrero]

Dave Hurwitz exists - he was one of my best friends  - but I haven't kept in touch with him over the last decade. He knows his stuff, but I'm well aware of his propensity to exaggerate things. No one could accuse him of being too neutral or vague, that's for sure.  Give him this much: you can learn an awful about music you had never heard of from him. I know I have.

[Settembrini]

If you ever do get in touch with him again, ask him why the reference recording for EVERY SINGLE PIECE EVER COMPOSED is the Cleveland Orchestra with Szell. I learned a lot from him as well: never buy the cd's he likes and always buy the ones he hates, you can't go wrong!

[barryguerrero]