a reminder to those getting the Zinman M8

[barry guerrero]

.   .   be sure to set your volume knob a bit higher than you normally would. These RCA recordings are a bit on the low level side. If that means waiting until everybody is out of the house, then do so; you'll be rewarded in the long run. This also means that the vocalists will, at times, be a bit too much in your face. This is particularly true during the Three Penitant Women passage. But it also means that you'll be saturated in exquisite details, as well as gaining an appreciation for Zinman's careful attention to balances.
In Part I, I believe that the soloists might have been placed behind the orchestra. They do sound a bit farther back than they do in Part II. They also don't sound too close to each other. Anyway, ENJOY. You're in for quite a treat at the symphony's biggest climaxes. 

[Leo K]

I finally had a chance to order this today and I can't wait to finally hear this recording.  

(I'm branching out again and listening to more than the M9  )



--Todd

[pgmdir]

I've not been all that big a fan of the Zinman cycle, but 3 and 8 have become my absolute favorites in those works.  And I have lots of each.  You will love this 8!

[Leo K]

Extraordinary recording.  WOW. 

[barry guerrero]

Yes. The ending to Part II on the MTT/SFSO Mahler 8 sounds so sanitized and overly controlled in comparison. That's not to mention all those fussy sounding ritardandos - massive ritards! - and five second pauses along the way. And compare the ending to Part I too:  you can't hear the offstage brass parts on the MTT. On the Zinman, both the offstage trumpets AND trombones are sufficiently clear sounding. In general, the soloists are better on the MTT, but they both suffer through the same tenor. Dean Griffey should be banned from doing Mahler 8. But the Zinman recording is so clear and full sounding, both during loud parts and soft parts. It doesn't sound as though the recording engineers panicked at the end of Part II.

[Leo K]

The Zinman continues to grow in stature with each listening.  It is a highlight (with his M3 and M6) of this cycle.


--Todd

[barry guerrero]

The Zinman continues to grow in stature with each listening.

Me too. I got a second copy (used) to keep at my mom's house.

Barry