Should I 'pull the trigger' on a possible purchase?

[barryguerrero]

Since I have Amazon Prime, I could buy the Jansons BR Klassik box set of Mahler symphonies on a six month, no interest installment of 10-something dollars per month. That's pretty cheap. If I do buy it, I may want to sell off or donate my Pierre Boulez Mahler box (which is in pristine shape). I have the Boulez M3 in an sacd/cd hybird issue, plus a 'burn job' of a live Boulez/V.P.O. M3 from Carnegie Hall. I also have a separate issue of the excellent Boulez/V.P.O. M6. I would just need to buy a separate used issue of the Boulez/Cleveland "DKW"/M10 Adagio disc - possibly the best issue from the entire Boulez cycle.

What do you folks think?  .   .   .  I just have a feeling I would play the Jansons/BRSO ones a lot more often. I won't miss the Boulez "DLvdE" because I really don't like either singer on that issue.

[John Kim]

I like the M1, 3, 5, 6, 8 in the set very much. But the rest isn't too far behind. The 8th is a straight reading but it is very musical (Gramophone praised it highly too). The sonics are really really good too. I don't think you'll regret purchasing it.

John

[barryguerrero]

Thanks for your input John. The "Boulez Conducts Mahler" set is now up to nearly $80 for a used copy at Amazon. It's not available on CD's through Presto Classical either; just downloads. Therefore, I would ideally would like to get $45 to 50 for my copy. It's in pristine condition. If you know anyone who might be interested, let me know.

Barry

[erikwilson7]

I say go for it. It's honestly very good. You probably won't regret it at all and that's a good price from Amazon.

That being said, I prefer Boulez to pretty much all of the Jansons/BRSO recordings. Just my taste, though. I couldn't part with that Boulez box.

Be ready for the eventual Vanska and Bychkov boxes though, if you're interested.

[barryguerrero]

I'm thinking I should hang on to that Boulez box also. I do have space in my bed's pull-out drawer where I keep my box sets. It's not anywhere near filled up. I like Janson's tempo relationships, for the most part. Sometimes his work can sound a bit too light weight. Jansons has very good singers. Boulez does also, for the most part, but I don't care for the singers on his "DLvdE". That's just one bad apple in the whole set. I think the Boulez/V.P.O. M2 is a weak link as well. However, the playing throughout his cycle is spot on.

[waderice]

I too, have the Boulez box, and I feel that his approach to Mahler is very straightforward, adding little and subtracting little from his performances of the symphonies.  Having said that, I also think it is one of the more complete collections of Mahler performances (in addition to Michael Gielen) available.

Wade

[John Kim]

As I have previously written, Jansons' BRSO M6th is surprisingly good. It is on a fast side with terrific playing and attention to details, e.g. coda of I., most of Scherzo (placed second^), and many passages of IV. As an interpretation, Jansons' may not bring in as many new things as say, Rattle in his recent BRSO recording, but it is an energized and passionate reading. Sonics are excellent too. I quite like it^

John

[erikwilson7]

John, that Jansons/BRSO M6 really surprised me. I actually think it's the best recording in the whole cycle, and I'm surprised it wasn't released on its own.

Jansons has a history of doing that piece justice. Years ago, his LSO M6 was a favorite of mine. The RCO one he did is decent too, and if I recall correctly he swapped the inner movements for that one (compared to the LSO and BRSO accounts).

[barryguerrero]

I think the 6th is among Jansons' very best of Amsterdam Mahler recordings as well. I guess he just had a thing for it. As for M7, I like his Oslo one best. You guys know that one (it's on Spotify)?

[John Kim]

Today, I revisited Jansons/BRSO M8th and liked it even more than the last time I gave it a spin. Barry, you'll love the ending of Part II.^ You'll love the whole performance.

John

[erikwilson7]

I forget that Jansons did some Mahler recordings in Oslo. I think it's: M1, M2, M3, M7, and M9?

The M7 was really good there, I agree Barry. Were the others eclipsed by his later recordings with RCO and BRSO?

For what it's worth, I do wish that Jansons finished the RCO cycle; only the M9 remained. Judging by what we got from his BRSO one, I bet it would've been quite good.

[barryguerrero]

RCO Live is very strange. I guess because they don't have an M9, they don't plan to issue a box set (Jansons). The Makela era hasn't started full bore yet, but I'm kind of hoping the Concertgebouw comes to its collective senses, asks Makela to resign, and then grabs Jaap van Zweden. He's THE obvious candidate for that job. However, maybe there are players who didn't like him clear back when he was Concert Master in the RCOA (or whatever instrument he played). I believe he's considered demanding, but was well liked in Dallas. Anyway, I'm kind of glad that S.F. will be forced to audition and choose a new director. I do like Salonen, but he is a bit of a re-tread within California. I think it's very possible S.F. goes with a woman conductor, but you never know until you do know.

[barryguerrero]

Also that trigger finger is getting pretty itchy (Jansons/BRSO Mahler box). 11 bucks per month for six months, zero interest (I hate paying for two rehearsal discs though).

[erikwilson7]

Have you heard all of the recordings before (on Spotify / YouTube, etc.)? If you know what to expect, I say pull the trigger. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed if you haven't heard all of them yet though.

It's a consistent set. It has very few quirks / oddities, and no real duds in my opinion. You've heard the M5, so you know about Jansons slowing the tempi near the very end. Other than that, it's really straightforward and the BRSO sounds wonderful as expected. To me, Jansons is somewhat comparable to Abbado; a very safe, neutral conductor who produces good results from his orchestra. He 'gets out of the way' of the orchestra and lets them do their thing (except for the end of M5).

I personally haven't gotten it solely because I haven't found a reason to yet. Maybe someday I'll pick it up.