Jukka-Pekka Saraste M9 recording

[Leo K]

I saw this at Amazon.de

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B004D6VCQS?ie=UTF8&tag=goodmusicguide-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1638&creative=19454&creativeASIN=B004D6VCQS

I guess it came out last year in November. Has anyone heard this? Not that I need another M9! I actually think I'm done with new M9s for a long while. I'm now content with Rattle/BPO, Zinman, Oue and Nott.

--Todd

[Russ Smiley]

Samples here:
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Gustav-Mahler-Symphonie-Nr-9/hnum/4981431

[John Kim]

The audio samples sound pretty good. I like the strong attack and rich expression in string in II, III, and IV.

This must be available for sale on www.mdt.co.uk now.

John,

[John Kim]

The audio samples sound pretty good. I like the strong attack and rich expression in string in II, III, and IV.

This must be available for sale on www.mdt.co.uk now.

John,

Here it is:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/NR_February11/PH10035.htm

[Michael]

The audio samples sound very encouraging.  I think I'm gonna have to buy this one...

[Michael]

The Saraste M9 was released to the digital market this morning, and I downloaded it on iTunes.  Timings are as follows: I. 26:21; II. 15:58; III. 13:11; IV. 24:16.

Having heard Saraste's M6, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that his M9 is equally as good.  I am yet to listen in detail (perhaps tonight or tomorrow) but this recording reminds me a lot of Rattle's, especially in the second movement.  The first movement moves along at a good clip and I like that; it does not drag, which is important for me.  In the rondo, the ending is fast and furious, but when the timps play their decending fifth from E to A, it seems to me as though they are behind the beat on both occasions.

[Leo K]

The Saraste M9 was released to the digital market this morning, and I downloaded it on iTunes.  Timings are as follows: I. 26:21; II. 15:58; III. 13:11; IV. 24:16.

Having heard Saraste's M6, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that his M9 is equally as good.  I am yet to listen in detail (perhaps tonight or tomorrow) but this recording reminds me a lot of Rattle's, especially in the second movement.  The first movement moves along at a good clip and I like that; it does not drag, which is important for me.  In the rondo, the ending is fast and furious, but when the timps play their decending fifth from E to A, it seems to me as though they are behind the beat on both occasions.

Thank you for the heads up Michael! I guess I'm going to get this after all! 

--Todd

[John Kim]

The Saraste M9 was released to the digital market this morning, and I downloaded it on iTunes.  Timings are as follows: I. 26:21; II. 15:58; III. 13:11; IV. 24:16.

Having heard Saraste's M6, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that his M9 is equally as good.  I am yet to listen in detail (perhaps tonight or tomorrow) but this recording reminds me a lot of Rattle's, especially in the second movement.  The first movement moves along at a good clip and I like that; it does not drag, which is important for me.  In the rondo, the ending is fast and furious, but when the timps play their decending fifth from E to A, it seems to me as though they are behind the beat on both occasions.

The timings look very good to me. But if the timpani is behind the beat in RB that worries me. How is the sound quality?

John,

[James Meckley]

In the rondo, the ending is fast and furious, but when the timps play their decending fifth from E to A, it seems to me as though they are behind the beat on both occasions.

Wow! The timpanist isn't just a little late—he starts both of these figures a half-beat behind, putting the upbeat on the downbeat, and so on. He tries to recover but never quite makes it. And that's not all! The critical timpani passage beginning seven bars from the end of the movement is also a full half-beat out of phase! This is a real mess. Where was the producer? Where was Saraste?

The first of these figures is 26 bars after rehearsal [43], at the Più stretto. For those without a score, the debacle begins about 12:19 into the Rondo-Burleske. I think they've just made a "party record" for timpanists!

This seems a fine M9 otherwise, but if this sort of thing bothers you, caveat emptor.

James

[John Kim]

In the rondo, the ending is fast and furious, but when the timps play their decending fifth from E to A, it seems to me as though they are behind the beat on both occasions.

Wow! The timpanist isn't just a little late—he starts both of these figures a half-beat behind, putting the upbeat on the downbeat, and so on. He tries to recover but never quite makes it. And that's not all! The critical timpani passage beginning seven bars from the end of the movement is also a full half-beat out of phase! This is a real mess. Where was the producer? Where was Saraste?

The first of these figures is 26 bars after rehearsal [43], at the Più stretto. For those without a score, the debacle begins about 12:19 into the Rondo-Burleske. I think they've just made a "party record" for timpanists!

This seems a fine M9 otherwise, but if this sort of thing bothers you, caveat emptor.

James

No Way!!

I am going to pass this one up.

John,

[Russ Smiley]

I listened to mine tonight (unfortunately with distractions). I'd characterize it as an earnest but imperfect performance.  I now have a different interpretation of the cover photo...