Klemperer/VPO live M9th - Testament or M&A?

[John Kim]

As you know, this live M9th concert by Klemperer/VPO has been issued several times on different labels. First, there was an Italian pirate followed by Living Stage. Now, it is available on M&A and most lately, Testament. I have heard the CDs on Living Stage and M&A and prefers the former; they indeed sound significantly different. Has anyone heard the Testament edition? How does it compare with the others?

John,

[barry guerrero]

The problem with Testament is that they're just so darn expensive. Anyway, John, I haven't seen a Klemperer M9 on Testament in any stores here. I think that Harmonia Mundi must not have released it here yet.

Barry

[akiralx]

The problem with Testament is that they're just so darn expensive. Anyway, John, I haven't seen a Klemperer M9 on Testament in any stores here. I think that Harmonia Mundi must not have released it here yet.

Barry

Isn't it in the Testament OK Vienna PO live concerts box?

[John Kim]

Yes, this is included in the box set that contains several live concerts by Klemperer/VPO. The Living Stage CD has true stereo sound but the M&A version sounds somewhat mono. Japanese fans gave a hearty score - somewhere around 95 - to the Testament recording, so this one may have pretty good sound, perhaps better than the Living Stage.

Anyway, I have always considered this better than Klemperer's studio recording with Philharmonia Orch. for EMI

John,

[barry guerrero]

That's right, it's in that Klemperer box on Testament. Boy, is that thing ever expensive. I'll go on record as saying that it's the best Mahler 9th that the VPO has yet to record. Too bad it costs so much.