Minnesota Orch. statement re: ongoing Mahler cycle for BIS

[barryguerrero]

From the M.O.'s own website, here's clarification on what's happening with their ongoing Mahler cycle for BIS:

MAHLER SYMPHONIES RECORDING CYCLE
Vänskä and the Orchestra will continue an ongoing project to record all ten of Mahler’s symphonies, performing and recording Mahler’s Ninth Symphony in March 2022 and Eighth Symphony in June 2022, the latter with an all-star roster of vocal soloists and four choral ensembles: the Minnesota Chorale, National Lutheran Choir, Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir and Minnesota Boychoir. The final work remaining to complete the cycle is Mahler’s Third Symphony, which will be recorded in a future season at a date yet to be announced.

[erikwilson7]

Overall this is good news. The fact that they’re going to be able to finish it at all in these pandemic times is fortunate.
That’s quite a waiting game, however. We may not see the Mahler 3rd until 2024 or later.

[barryguerrero]

Here's the lineup of soloists that they show at this point for the M8. It looks like that haven't nailed down a regular baritone yet. It's a good sign that Barry Banks is going to be the tenor.

Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Sarah Wegener, soprano
Jacquelyn Wagner, soprano
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Sasha Cooke, mezzo
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo
Barry Banks, tenor
Christian Immler, bass-baritone
Minnesota Chorale
National Lutheran Choir
Minnesota Boychoir
Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir

[erikwilson7]

Any other insight on these soloists? Sasha Cooke was amazing in their M2, and Sampson was pretty good in the finale of their M4. I don't know anyone else on the list.

[barryguerrero]

Same here. I can only add that Barry Banks is really solid on the Nezet-Seguin/London Phil. "DLvdE". I've heard him in one or two other things as well.