. . . much like the VPO, only located in Cleveland. Seriously, which VPO: Erich Kleiber, Knappertsbusch; Schuricht; Furtwaengler; Karajan; Bohm; Schmidt-Isserstedt; Berstein; Rattle?
Leo,
You're the only the person I know who has expressed such a liking for the Maazel Mahler cycle, and his eigth in partcular. For me, Maazel's Celibidache-like tempi just get too much in the way. But I do recognize all of the positive points that you mention. If Maazel had just taken Part II's ending a bit slower, instead of speeding up - combined with more pipe organ in the mix - I might really take his 8th to heart. One thing I do like about it, is that the orchestra and chorus seem so well integrated. You don't get the sense that the chorus is coming through a different set of microphones. For me, that's the big problem with the highly touted Solti M8 - it sounds like every section and every soloist has their own microphone; all placed strangely in a oddly shaped room (which is exactly how the Solti 8th was recorded!). But I have to hand it to you, Leo, you're able to articulate very clearly as to why you like something that isn't considered popular or like-able. You're a beacon of independence, but you're able to express why so. Charles Ives would be proud of you.
Barry
