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Your opinion about Mahler's most colossal work

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shawn:
For very obvious reasons, Mahler 8 is very dear to me. A lot of people come late to this work. I was one of those people. But once it hit me, it has never left me.

Many of the composer's most beautiful melodies are in it. In other composer's hands it may become overtly sentimental, but Mahler finds a balance, it is masterfully crafted. And Mahler doesn't have to be the struggling composer at all times.

I really think of it as a 'light to light' symphony. Its positive outcome is never really in doubt. I also think of it as a theme-symphony, Mahler isn't remotely ambiguous about it. Some may find the first movement too much, but it doesn't bother me as such. The long orchestral prelude to the Second Part is a model of tension. And you gotta love the final moments, brass blazing, it's rather like hugging the love of your life.

I always express caution about calling it operatic!

If I am hard pressed to give recommended recordings, the Naxos/Wit is a solid choice (great playing, deep soundstage). For a more quicksilver alternative, I turn to Bertini (EMI). Of the more recent outings, Stenz is impressive (great ending and very well recorded). Gergiev is also special, but this has something to do with the reverberation and decay, adding something extra to its 'aura'.

If you crave for an oldie, I might mention Flipse/Rotterdam (not perfect, but it has many great moments, I have it on an official Rotterdam Philharmonic CD release).

But the recording that probably combines most of above's virtues, is Bernstein's from London (Sony). For instance, it has the most exciting moment leading up to the reappearance of the Veni, creator spiritus-theme. I don't know, something 'happens' which cannot be rehearsed in a thousand years. It is almost as if the sound becomes white-hot, other worldly, some kind of magical 'modulation' which cannot be duplicated in any other recording. How on earth did they manage to produce such a sound, especially considering the fact that the entire orchestra is playing! Wow. I wonder if other members of this board share the same feeling about this moment?

What is your opinion about the Mahler Eighth?  :D

barryguerrero:
Shawn, I've ALWAYS had a fondness for Bernstein's 1966 LSO M8. I've always liked it better than the highly touted Solti. I also very much like your "light to light" comment. That pretty much summarizes the piece. In addition to the ones you've listed, I also like the Jonathan Nott, JoAnn Falletta, Edo DeWaart and Hartmut Haenchen M8 recordings. My personal favorite of any is the Colin Davis, but only in the BR Klassik box set of Mahler symphonies. The sound is quite a bit improved over the original RCA issue. I very much like the cast on the Boulez/DG M8, but just wish it had a stronger ending to Part II (end of Part I is great).  At times, I have a certain fondness for the Maazel/VPO M8. I just wish it weren't so 'lethargic' in spots.

Also, keep in mind that M8 has been quite lucky on dvd. I have Bernstein/VPO, Dudamel and his cast of a thousand, Chailly/Gewandhaus and Pavo Jarvi/Frankfurt R.SO. on dvd. Of those, I like the Chailly best, but also enjoy the Dudamel from time to time. I have the P. Jarvi more for the M7 that it comes with.

I'm looking forward to the Adam Fischer/Dusseldorf M8 that'll be coming out this fall. It may not blow the walls down, but it should be quite musical. However, I don't know anything about several of his cast members.

The Bernstein/LSO was THE recording that convinced me that M8 is a great piece.

ChrisH:
To be honest, when I was much younger I didn't really enjoy the 8th. I couldn't come to terms with the singing and wished I could get a recording that just had the orchestral part; I also felt that way about Wagner, too. Why couldn't we just get the amazing music, and not have to deal with all of this atrocious singing. Now it's one of my favorites, and I love the vocal aspect. As I reached my mid-thirties, I started to really enjoy the added texture and color that the voice provides in contrast with the orchestra. It was the first thing I listened to after getting home from the Hospital when my daughter was born.

This is also the closest mature work that may show us what a Mahler opera would be like. A Mahler opera would have been amazing. It's unfortunate that he didn't attempt one, but I understand why he would not. Still, it would have been totally one of a kind.

Recordings that I enjoy are Chailly/Leipzig on blu-ray, Gielen/SWR Baden-Baden, Maazel/New York, and Stenz/Gurzenich.

barryguerrero:
Indeed, the Gielen is another good one. Do have an actual cd of the Maazel/N.Y.?     .    .    .   I ask because I think that N.Y. cycle was just available as a download (not that there's anything wrong with that).

ChrisH:

--- Quote from: barryguerrero on July 06, 2019, 05:31:28 PM ---Indeed, the Gielen is another good one. Do have an actual cd of the Maazel/N.Y.?     .    .    .   I ask because I think that N.Y. cycle was just available as a download (not that there's anything wrong with that).

--- End quote ---
No actual CD. Just the download from HDtracks.com. That is the only place I know of that has those recordings.

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