New M2 - Jansons finally announced

[Phaedrus]

Hi everybody,
I saw my fellow countryman's topic slightly veering off topic. Just wanted to point out that the RCO Jansons's M2's arrival is delayed due to production problems of the joining DVD. That's what the record store owner (yes, they' still exist) told me. Just for your information.

Best regards from NL,

Phaedrus

[Phaedrus]

Hello everybody,

M2/RCO/Jansons available in the stores in NL as of yesterday. Bonus DVD of a concert included. Best regards from NL,

[Phaedrus]

Hello everybody,

Don't discard the RCO/Jansons/M2. I've listened to it twice now, and it sends shivers down my spine. Not that I am new to M2, I do own 14 other versions, but it really is that good. I don't have the score, can't tell you what does or does not comply with the score, but for sheer emotion, I am hooked on this one. The RCO  really explores the limits, and you do have to admire them for daring. Haven't gotten round to watching the bonus DVD yet, and, to be frank, I don't want to, because I enjoy allowing the music to let my imagination run freely, whereas the DVD kind of limits that.

Sound quality is top notch with almost holographic imaging and pinpoint location of players.
Note to moderators: I took the liberty of posting this in "Best of 2010" and the M2 thread simultaneously.

Best regards from NL,

[Freddy van Maurik]

When does this Rattle M2 become a reality?

It should be available digitally on the 22nd of November, but the actual CD isn't due till February 2011: http://www.emiclassics.com/artistnews.php?aid=72#

By the way, I second Phaedrus's remarks on the RCO/Jansons M2: it's really good, with excellent sound from the RCO Live team, once again.

Freddy

[akiralx]

When does this Rattle M2 become a reality?

It should be available digitally on the 22nd of November, but the actual CD isn't due till February 2011: http://www.emiclassics.com/artistnews.php?aid=72#

By the way, I second Phaedrus's remarks on the RCO/Jansons M2: it's really good, with excellent sound from the RCO Live team, once again.

Freddy

The Rattle M2 is now on iTunes - UK at least.

[barry guerrero]

There have been so many really good Mahler 2's in recent days, that I really can't get too enthused about either of these. While Rattle's new Berlin "Resurrection" will probably be better in some respects, the earlier one had Janet Baker. She was fabulous. Janson's made an M2 in Oslo for Chandos, and it wasn't distinguished in any real way. I think he's better for "cold", modern, and highly intellectual works like the 7th (which he does quite well). I'm more looking forward to the Ashkenazy/DSO Berlin M3.

While I'm sure it'll pretty much be a run-through - something that's not a bad thing for such a long symphony, actually - at least Ashkenazy's M3 be bathed in the more generous acoustics of the Jesus Christus Kirche. Actually, I'm looking forward to a future release (hopefully) of M3 with Jansons and the RCOA as well.

[Leo K]

I just heard the first movement of the Rattle/BPO M2. I downloaded from iTunes after hearing how good the sonics were in the samples.

This is first movement is so good I could cry. I finally have my BPO M2. This is a dream come true for me personally. More thoughts later.

--Todd

[barry guerrero]

Freddy, Todd,

I'm sorry to sound jaded, but I'm afraid I can't share your enthusiasm for Janson's new Mahler 2. Just like his Chandos one, I don't hear anything that distinguishes it in any particular way. In fact, he strikes me as slightly mannered with his gear changes through the 5th movement's long march section. I found nothing special about the climactic end to that long march, and the end of symphony lacked a degree or two, in respect to both excitement and power.

While the deep bells were quite audible (and played as written, not "ad lib"), the high and low pitched tam-tams were underwhelming. The organ in the Concertgebouw, while quite pleasant to listen to, isn't the most powerful around either. As a result, once again, I actually prefer the Chailly/RCOA recording to this one. Among recent additions to the M2 discography, I still like the Paavo Jarvi one best.

While Jarvi's chorus is relatively small in numbers, there's genuine excitement to their singing, and to the rest of the performance as well (great organ too). It also has sonics that are the equal to this one (no sacd layer though).   

[Leo K]

I've been listening to the Rattle/BPO M2 everyday almost, and find it amazing. I want to review it soon, but I will say, the sonics are probably the best that Rattle has had. It is truly beautifully recorded. The organ is great, tams tams, strings...the whole performance is mind boggling. I had stopped buying M2 for awhile, the Fischer, MTT, and Macal were my recent favorites. But this Rattle is more powerful than those!

--Todd

[John Kim]

I've been listening to the Rattle/BPO M2 everyday almost, and find it amazing. I want to review it soon, but I will say, the sonics are probably the best that Rattle has had. It is truly beautifully recorded. The organ is great, tams tams, strings...the whole performance is mind boggling. I had stopped buying M2 for awhile, the Fischer, MTT, and Macal were my recent favorites. But this Rattle is more powerful than those!

--Todd

Todd,

I am surprised with your enthusiastic report on the Rattle M2nd. I am a huge fan of his CBSO recording, easily the best Mahler recording he had ever done. I look forward to hearing it with a high expectation. Did you hear any radical approaches in the new recording? Where did you get the CD so soon?

Regards,

John,

P.S> While I am traveling abroad I got Levine's Mahler set at $26.00. A real bargin I couldn't resist.

[Leo K]

John,

I downloaded the iTunes exclusive, and I think the CD will be out in February of 2011. I hope there is a hi-rez release or download. The CD should sound very good based on the download.

For me, Rattle's new M2 beats his earlier account. I'm impressed by how the BPO sounds in this recording. I need to compare this with Rattle's earlier M2 to really get into detail.

--Todd

[barry guerrero]

Todd,

I'm hoping that Rattle's BPO M2 will sell well, if it's anywhere as good as you promise. My own selfish reason for this, is that I would like to see EMI someday issue Berlin remakes of symphonies 6 & 7 with Rattle. Wouldn't a Rattle/BPO/Kozena M4 be nice as well? It wouldn't hurt for Rattle to re-do M1 and "DKL" as well - not necessary, to be certain, but pleasant all the same. Life could be so nice if only they would issue tons a new and totally unnescessary Mahler recordings each and every week. That wouldn't bother me in the slightest. 

[Leo K]

Todd,

I'm hoping that Rattle's BPO M2 will sell well, if it's anywhere as good as you promise. My own selfish reason for this, is that I would like to see EMI someday issue Berlin remakes of symphonies 6 & 7 with Rattle. Wouldn't a Rattle/BPO/Kozena M4 be nice as well? It wouldn't hurt for Rattle to re-do M1 and "DKL" as well - not necessary, to be certain, but pleasant all the same. Life could be so nice if only they would issue tons a new and totally unnescessary Mahler recordings each and every week. That wouldn't bother me in the slightest. 

Barry, based on what I'm hearing here, I think it should sell well. I too, would like a BPO M4, M6 and M7 with Rattle!

--Todd

[John Kim]

I too hope that there will be remakes of M6 & M7 with Rattle/BPO. But I am really curious how the new Resurrection will come up against the CBSO version.

John,

[Leo K]

I too hope that there will be remakes of M6 & M7 with Rattle/BPO. But I am really curious how the new Resurrection will come up against the CBSO version.

John,

John, the BPO at really at their best here. You have to hear it ASAP. Rattle's BPO M2 has similiar mannerisms as his CBSO version, but I vastly prefer the sonority of the rich BPO.

AND the organ is not a "Maytag" appliance this time (Hurwitz reference) 

--Todd