M9 - I'm now in John Kim's camp

[barry guerrero]

I now agree fully with John Kim: Karajan's '79 studio recording of M9 is greater than his 'live' remake. It's really one of the great Mahler 9ths of all time. The remastered two-disc set that comes with the "Kindertotenlieder" and Ruckert Songs is a great set.

Barry

[akiralx]

I've got it in that Karajan 1970s box, remastered too I think.

The M4 I'm not too keen on, I found the adagio rather ponderous and Edith Mathis is not an ideal soloist.

[barry guerrero]

Yes, I agree. But funny enough, I think Mathis sounds a bit more idiomatic on the Bernstein/VPO M4 from the '70s that got released on dvd.

[Roffe]

I've been curious about the Karajan M9 for years, but I've found it a bit pricey. Anyway, this time I ordered it, got it on Monday and have listened to it a couple of times. And, yes, it is truly excellent. If I didn't have access to any other M9 recordings than this one, I could live with it. Thank you, Barry, for re-reminding me of the Karajan M9.

PS His recording of dLvdE with Ludwig and Kollo is also worth listening to.

Roffe

[akiralx]

I've been curious about the Karajan M9 for years, but I've found it a bit pricey. Anyway, this time I ordered it, got it on Monday and have listened to it a couple of times. And, yes, it is truly excellent. If I didn't have access to any other M9 recordings than this one, I could live with it. Thank you, Barry, for re-reminding me of the Karajan M9.

This is definitely the studio version you're enjoying?

[Roffe]

I think so, It should be the following recvording:
1979/80 November - September (B.P.O.) Deutsche Grammophon: Berlin

Link to the record I bought:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Symphony-Kindertotelieder-Ruckert-Lieder/dp/B000001GY6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1396610911&sr=1-1&keywords=mahler+9+karajan

[waderice]

Yes, this should be it.  The preferable performance was recorded using analogue recording technology, whereas I believe the in-concert one was recorded in early digital technology.

Wade

[barry guerrero]

Yes, that's correct: late '70s is late analog; early '80s is early digital. However, they did make the digital one sound a bit more clear and 'open' in the Karajan Gold remastering.

[John Kim]

Karajan's earlier analog recording has a better feel of 'epic' grandeur, more heterogeneity, and is better structured. OTOH, his second go at the symphony which was recorded live digitally two years later, sounds more homogeneous due to the conductor's perversely uncompromising approach. Orchestral details are also better realized in the analog version. Warning: there are some hiccups in the playing such as in the Rondo Burleske (which DH indicated in his amazon review). And the climax in I. (about 19 min. into the movt.) is strangely underpowered.

But I really like Karajan's Adagio in this recording; cool and icy in places but musical nevertheless, it never loses the bird's eyes' perspective.

So, it's a toss up between the two recordings but I slightly prefer the earlier one.

John,