So, Exton still exists! . . . who knew!

[barryguerrero]

Exton is issuing a new Mahler 1 with Jonathan Nott and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. I have no idea how this orchestra stacks up in comparison to Tokyo's other top orchestras (?). Neither do I know if this is a start to a new cycle. It's next to impossible to try to get information from the Exton people. I inquired (enquired?) several times regarding the Honeck/Pittsburgh [once upon a time] Mahler cycle. Of course, I never received any reply.

Also, they're reissuing M. Inoue's Royal Philharmonic Mahler recordings into a three disc set (symphonies 4, 5 and 6). I've never thought Inoue's Mahler was as great as some claimed it to be. Also, the Royal Phil. - an orchestra I often times do like - would not be my first pick for Mahler.

https://www.hmv.co.jp/en/search/advanced_1/category_1%2C106/formattype_1/genre_VARIOUS_700/keyword_Mahler/sort_datedesc/target_CLASSIC/

[erikwilson7]

Very interesting stuff. I would like to hear more from Nott. I like his cycle a lot, but it has its flaws and I'd like to hear his interpretations mature.

Speaking of reissues, I'm seeing Telarc currently re-issuing their catalogue and being put on Spotify and digital download (incl. Presto) for the first time ever. This includes Levi's, Lopez-Cobos', and Slatkin's Mahler recordings.

[John Kim]

These are SACD reissues of the original 80s recordings. I used to own Inoue's M6th: grim, inexorable, and very powerful.

Inoue also recorded M1, M6, M9 with New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. I have the 6th and 9th and quite them both.

John

[barryguerrero]

I wish Exton hadn't given up on Honeck/Pittsburgh. At least the M6 would have been great.

[Roland Flessner]

I like the Inoue/RPO recordings rather a lot.

Presto Music used to show an extensive catalog of Exton releases including downloads, but at the moment, they list only two Honeck/Pittsburgh recordings, Ein Heldenleben and Tchaikovsky 5, CDs only.

I've been waiting decades for a good modern recording of "Seven, They Are Seven," the cantata by Prokofiev that some have described as "apocalyptic noise." Exton had an Ashkenazy recording with the St. Petersburg Phil. I have that one, but it has some odd distortion, both in physical and download versions.

[barryguerrero]

Exton appears to be the most enigmatic classical label imaginable. They came out with a ton of stuff with Ashkenazy conducting - most of it from Australia (including his Mahler) - yet they never did anything to promote any of it. Why even bother!

[John Kim]

I think both Honeck/PSO M6th and M9th were recorded but never released. Too bad because they were great performances, as good  as the M1, M3, M4, M5 that they recorded for Exton.

John

[akiralx]

Exton is issuing a new Mahler 1 with Jonathan Nott and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. I have no idea how this orchestra stacks up in comparison to Tokyo's other top orchestras (?)

I assume this is a different band to the Tokyo Metropolitan SO, with whom I have Bernini conducting M9, on this label.