a really good M8 avail. as MP download for $9 (Ashkenazy)

[barry guerrero]

http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphony-Vladimir-Ashkenazy-Sydney/dp/B0048W3RGU/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291884164&sr=1-1-catcorr

First things first. A friend burnt me a copy of this, and I don't know if they took it from the CD's - which are really expensive on Amazon - or from the MP3 download. You might remember that I posted a link to the ending of Ashkenazy's that's on Youtube. It's really very good, and there's tons of organ. On the whole, the singers are better than those on the Zinman M8 (l love what Zinman does on the very final chord of the symphony, however). The tenor is quite respectable. As much I like the Gerard Schwarz M8, I would rate this one higher. Same goes for the recent Inbal, which is quite good. I think Zinman is a bit more thoughtful, interpretively speaking. RCA also gave him really great sound. But the vocalists are truly better here. Also, this Sydney based orchestra has great trombones. If you're curious, check out the samples.

[sperlsco]

Thanks!!!! I've downloaded it and am burning to CD as I type this.  I'll listen to it in my car over the next two days and let you know what I think. 

[barry guerrero]

I should clarify my position. The main thing that bothered me - just somewhat - about the Inbal M8 was the relatively fast tempo for the passage in Part II for high strings, harmonium, and harps - located right after the first big tenor solo. Conversely, Tilson Thomas was waaaaaaay too slow with this same passage (it's supposed in a slow 2  i.e. cut-time).

[sperlsco]

OK, I gave this a "once-through" in my car and will hopefully be able to listen in a quieter environment this weekend.
You're right, this is really a very good M8.  The tenor is very good -- if not quite at the level of Kollo (Solti)  or Grobe (Kubelik).  All of the female cast is good -- particularly the Mater Gloriosa (she sounds truly heavenly).  The bass singer is probably the weak link here, but he is at least acceptable.  There is quite a bit of orchestral transparency and inner detail (especially woodwinds).  The organ is superb.  Ashkenazy conducts with good flow and expertly handles transitions.  My only complaint is with lack of presence of the percussion section and the special purpose instruments (mandolin, etc.) -- but ONLY in comparison to the Inbal/Tokyo recording which is imply unmatched in that category.  I would likewise have preferred more tam-tam presence at the end. 

I hate to make proclamations after one listening session (especially one done in my car), but this is probably an easy first tier choice for me.  I still prefer the Inbal/Tokyo to all comers (I practically listen to it weekly), but the Ashkenazy has a lot going for it (singing is undoubtedly better, much better organ). 

Barry:  I know you don't like how Inbal handles the section in Part II for high strings, harmonium, and harps (too fast for your taste), but I think it works just fine - especially given the overall faster tempi of the performance.  Although none of Inbal's singers are anything special, the recording has the "extra benefit" of the soloists being recorded fairly low in the mix -- which also explains why there is so much orchestral detail in that one. 

[barry guerrero]

Good points - all of them. I'm glad you checked this out. Obviously, we're spoiled for choices now   

[John Kim]

It really looks like we're spoiled with several good choices for M8th.

Scott, Will you place the Inbal above all others including Gergiev/LSO/LSO version?

I have a live Inbal/TMSO M8th and very much like it. It almost sounds like what you described about the new Inbal recording.

I love it.

John,

[Leo K]

For me, the Horenstein, Gergiev and Witt are the most cosmic sounding M8s of all time. They sound like Mahler's description of his original inspiration.

The Zinman and MTT, are among the most musical, and beautiful I have heard.

Rattle (EMI) and Inbal's (on Denon) accounts are among the most exciting.

There are so many...thank God!  

[sperlsco]

It really looks like we're spoiled with several good choices for M8th.

Scott, Will you place the Inbal above all others including Gergiev/LSO/LSO version?

I have a live Inbal/TMSO M8th and very much like it. It almost sounds like what you described about the new Inbal recording.

I love it.

John,

John:  Is your live Inbal/TMSO M8 version akin to an Opera Share download?  If so, it may very well be the same as the official Exton release.  The Exton release is indeed taken from live performances, as is obvious from the applause.  

…and yes, the Inbal/TMSO is hands-down my favorite of all M8’s – leap-frogging the Lennie/Vienna DVD, Chailly, Sinopoli, and Gergiev.  

[barry guerrero]

I don't mean to sound dismissive of the Inbal, but I do think I prefer Zinman (conducting/sound), Wit (pacing and tam-tam smashes), Ashkenazy (trombones/organ), and Gergiev (better soloists) over it. Regardless, these are ALL very good.

[sperlsco]

I don't mean to sound dismissive of the Inbal, but I do think I prefer ... Wit (... tam-tam smashes)

I apologize for the Leslie Nielsen tribute, but surely you can't be serious? ;-)  Do you actually prefer the tam tams in the Wit over the Inbal?  I don't think any performance matches up to the Inbal one in this particular respect (Chailly probably comes closest). 

[barry guerrero]

I'm sure you're right. I haven't compared that aspect in a long time. I'll go through a bunch of them again sometime soon. Let's just celebrate the embarrassment of riches (as well as my bad spelling).