G. Feltz Mahler cycle coming out in a box set

[barryguerrero]

Well, maybe things are beginning to pick up. Dreyer Gaido is issuing the Gabriel Feltz Mahler cycle in a box for 60 Euros. They only show the front cover, so I don't know if they'll be sacd/cd hybrid discs, like Tudor did with the J. Nott cycle, or if they'll reduce them to red book CD as both RCA (Zinman) and Oehms Classics (Stenz) have done.

https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/eltz-die-sinfonien/hnum/10837016
 

[erikwilson7]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing this. I might get it.

[barryguerrero]

Not being very familiar with the cycle, would you say that any of them are duds?   .    .    .  I like the M8 and M9 just fine.

[erikwilson7]

I know them all decently well. I wouldn't say any of them are necessarily duds. They are all at least adequate, though the standouts are definitely 8, 9, and I think 1 and 3.

I can't say there are any in the cycle I dislike or have major issues with, although Feltz does take some interpretive liberties (he has some tempo or dynamic quirks), and he does take a 12+ minute Adagietto. I don't particularly like the soprano at the end of 4, but she isn't bad. Reminds me of the wobbly English soprano Gielen employed in his studio recording. Though as I sample it right now she has a VERY boyish tone (obviously a good thing for this song). Jeannette Wernecke.

It's all recorded live with applause, and it's "hot." What I mean by "hot" is there may be some slovenliness in the playing. Nothing distracting, but everything also feels very "in the moment," normally a plus in Mahler in general.

[erikwilson7]

I would definitely recommend sampling them on Spotify. All tastes differ, and this set could be a gamble for some considering the unknown conductor, non-"Mahlerian" orchestra, and small label.

[barryguerrero]

Thanks. I think the entire series is still sitting at my local used CD shop, except for the two I picked up: M8 and M9.

[John Kim]

Will the box set include SACDs e.g. the 8th and 9th?

Or, all CDs?

John

[barryguerrero]

John, JPC is now showing that M1-M7 will be CD (10 discs), while the remaining will be on four SACD hybrids. I have no idea if the cycle was originally recorded that way.

[John Kim]

Thanks, Barry.

I sampled the 8th and 9th (+10th I. III.) and really liked them. Feltz does take some liberty with tempo shifts but they aren't as intrusive as one might worry. The playing is very enthusiastic and committed, the recorded sound great. They just need to be seasoned^

I am listening to the 3rd. Very good and interesting!

John

[John Kim]

Wow, this guy Feltz really digs into Mahler!

In the opening 'Pan Awakes' movement of the M3rd, he steps on the brakes as the 1st March reaches a climax letting the whole brass go at fullest power in a truly grandiose fashion. Then, he takes the following development section at a tempo zillion times faster!

It's DYNAMIC!

John

[John Kim]

Does the conductor's volatility or interpretive quirk break the flow of the music? The answer might depend on your tastes. Also, you'll have to put the entire performance (of all 6 movements) into perspective to judge fairly and objectively. As for me, it seldom bothered. 🙂

John

[erikwilson7]

Yeah, I really like this Third too. His recordings are excellent “alternatives” to your top choices, and I don’t mean that in a negative way at all.

I think most of the time he futzes around with the score it really works.

Check out the scherzo to the M2! Very unique take.

[erikwilson7]

The box set is now listed on Presto: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9318445--mahler-the-complete-symphonies

To be released on April 29, 2022

It is already on Spotify for streaming.

[barryguerrero]

Thanks for the update.