Fischer/BFO M6

[merlin]

I am wondering if this is worth purchasing.  I already have Bernstein/VPO/DG, Zinman/Tonhalle/RCA SACD and Barbirolli/NPO/EMI.

Thanks, and happy new year to all.

[Russ Smiley]

Where Bernstein's M6 is gritty, I found Fischer's to be well-mannered.

[barry guerrero]

I think it's more complicated than just that. Bernstein lived for the moment from beginning to end. That approach sometimes got in the way of having an overall, "classically structured" plan for any given Mahler work. The latter Bernstein performances tended to get ever more expansive (longer), simply because he was achieving ever more power and weight in his performances. Fischer has a terrific finale that sounds fast and fiery in the quicker parts. But keeping in mind that the sixth is also very much a "classical" symphony, Fischer also treats the first three movements as though they were merely preludes to the finale - they're a tad light weight, in other words. However, as I've pointed out before, Fischer does an outstanding job of making the contrasting "Alma theme" - second subject of the first movement - jump right out of the box. Alma is young, lively, and a bit impetuous here; not just lovely and a bit sauftig. Truly, it's a case of apples and oranges. I would take the Fischer over Bernstein's Vienna remake (but only but a hair's length), but perhaps not over Lennie's earlier N.Y. one. In some respects - not all - I think the '70s one captured on video may be the best M6 from Bernstein.

Barry

[john haueisen]

Merlin,
I just listened to Fischer's M6 too, and found it a bit lighter than many other performances.
By "lighter" I don't mean lightweight.  It's just very clear, smooth, and quick.  (Barry very aptly phrased it "a tad lighter.") 
The so-called "Alma Theme" (and this is just my impression) reminded me of a summer day with a pretty girl running downhill through a field of flowers.  Yes, now that I look at what I just said I realize how subjective that is.   It's just that the theme flows so easily and lightly, without any hesitation. 
This is definitely an M6 that I will return to.  I also like the way the cowbells are much more audible than other performances I've heard--not quite the clunky cowbells we hear in many versions, but more bell-like and certainly easier to hear.
--John H

[merlin]

Hi John, and thanks for your impressions.  I listened to his M2 the other night, and was still mightily impressed and deeply moved.

As for subjectivity -- that's what it comes down to in the end, after all the analyses.  The performance and SQ either grab and take you to another level, or do not.

As I have written previously, Bernstein/DG is at the very top for me in all the recordings except for the 8th, which sounds too like opera for my taste no matter the performance, and I prefer his 9th with the BPO.

[john haueisen]

I think Merlin may have hit on what is a problem for most of us with M8:  it sounds too much like opera.  As we've also said before, it takes a lot of time investment to come to appreciate M8, and this is also the case with developing a taste for opera.
Cheers--John H

[John Kim]

I think Merlin may have hit on what is a problem for most of us with M8:  it sounds too much like opera.  As we've also said before, it takes a lot of time investment to come to appreciate M8, and this is also the case with developing a taste for opera.
Cheers--John H

I second John's thought. In this regard, Part I. is a lot easier to digest than Part II.

John,

[merlin]

I second John's thought. In this regard, Part I. is a lot easier to digest than Part II.

John,

For me, it is clearly the other way round!  The first is basically boring and indigestible.  The second has its moments, but at times I wish the good old vaudeville hook would remove the singer (shrieker) immediately!