Chailly boxset

[ggl]

Even though I have most of the Chailly set in separate discs (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), I might actually buy the set just to get 1, 4 and 7.  Chailly's M5 is my clear favorite of the seven or eight M5 recordings I own, and I've played it probably more frequently then any other CD I own over the last 2-3 years.  His M3, played in either CD or 2-channel SACD, is, to my ears, one of the best-sounding orchestral recordings ever, with superb sonic presence, and is my favorite performance of the piece.  Chailly's M6 is a great recording as well -- he takes the first movement slower than other conductors, and it conveys more gravity, more menace, than any other recording of M6 that I know. 

[John Kim]

I heard Chailly's live M3rd (Tokyo) and M9th (Amsterdam) and they are even finer than the commercial recordings.

John,

[chalkpie]

I heard Chailly's live M3rd (Tokyo) and M9th (Amsterdam) and they are even finer than the commercial recordings.

John,

 

[Alexandros]

I just bought the Chailly boxset, I couldn't help myself... I think it had to do with my love of the 'beautiful' aspects of Mahler, and that Chailly is disputably the one who envisions this type best. The grotesque Mahler of Bernstein and Abbado fits me sometimes, but not always. It could be said that the 'folk' music of the Slavic, Bohemian, and Hebrew regions generated perhaps the most 'visceral' musical experience possible, and Mahler is its demigod. These characteristics don't necessarily need be treated harshly or expressionistically as some do. I think of Abbado current Berlin Live series, the 6th and 9th are key, though all are very well preformed. If he continues this series, I would consider getting that set as well. Chailly boxset is making me so excited I can barely contain myself. 

Good choice particularly for 2,3,5,7,8,9,10.

Alex

[chalkpie]

Maybe nobody knows the answer (or can answer this one) but.....

Was Chailly generally well-received during his tenure in Amsterdam by both critics and public? I'm not just talking about his Mahler cycle, but all of his years....

[barry guerrero]

You have to keep in mind that Chailly took over after Haitink had the orchestra for several decades. Also, Chailly wasn't Haitink's first choice by any means. My impression - and it's only an impression - is that the Chailly years were fairly well received, but had a few rocky moments as well. As much as I'm not a big Haitink fan, having to follow Haitink after so many years of him doing such consistent work, must be a tough act to follow.

[John Kim]

It's curious why some of the well known Mahler conductors, e.g. Abbado, Chailly, Ozawa, have never recorded DLVDE.

Thus, we don't get DLVDE in the Chailly box set .

Believe me, I heard a live Chailly/RCO concert in Boston in early 90s and it was excellent. I also heard a live recording of Ozawa conducting BSO and that too was really good.

I guess they are all AFRAID of the literal and thematic contents of the music in one way or another.

John,

[John Kim]

Speaking of the Ozawa concert it was by far the best played, the most beautifully interpreted DLVDE I ever heard.

John,

[barry guerrero]

I read in the N.Y. Times that Ozawa conducted his first concert in a long time, but could only get through one movement. He's had some kind of cancer, and there's a lingering side effect that keeps him from conducting for any great length. What a shame. I hope he feels better soon.

[James Meckley]

I read in the N.Y. Times that Ozawa conducted his first concert in a long time, but could only get through one movement. He's had some kind of cancer, and there's a lingering side effect that keeps him from conducting for any great length. What a shame. I hope he feels better soon.

I join you in wishing him well. For those interested, here's the New York Times article Barry mentioned:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/arts/music/07seiji.html

James

[John Kim]

I heard Ozawa had a cancer in his throat.

I am not sure how he is doing now though.

John,

[waderice]

I heard Ozawa had a cancer in his throat.

I am not sure how he is doing now though.

John,

The NY Times article said he had esophageal (sp?) cancer.  Though it says he is now cancer-free, I'm sure he's on a very limited regimen of activity, and the article indicated as such.

Wade

P.S. - While on Ozawa, the one Mahler performance I remember enjoying was his M8 on Philips while he was in Boston.  That was a good, solid, all-around performance you could expect to hear from a good orchestra most any time.  It's been a good while since I've listened to it, and I ought to pull it out and give it a fresh listening.  I never did get his Boston M2, and should spring for it one of these days.

[sperlsco]

Speaking of the Ozawa concert it was by far the best played, the most beautifully interpreted DLVDE I ever heard.

John,

Yeah, I've got this one from an opera share download.  It is an excellent two male version. 

[chalkpie]

You have to keep in mind that Chailly took over after Haitink had the orchestra for several decades. Also, Chailly wasn't Haitink's first choice by any means. My impression - and it's only an impression - is that the Chailly years were fairly well received, but had a few rocky moments as well. As much as I'm not a big Haitink fan, having to follow Haitink after so many years of him doing such consistent work, must be a tough act to follow.

Interesting that Chailly wasn't Haitink's 1st choice? Do we know who he wanted to succeed him? It also seems to me that Chailly was more adventurous in his repertoire (The complete Varese for example) than what Hiatink was dishing out. Yes?

On another semi-related note - I gave the Chailly M3 a complete spin today and I have to say it is just incredible from beginning to end. Everything sounds "right" to me, with boatloads of emotion, passion, and keen detail. On top of the stellar sonics, the playing of this group is just outrageous. They are so T-I-G-H-T and I cannot recall one single instance of any intonation problems whatsoever. I also dig the gongs (tam-tams?) and the manner in which the percussion in general was recorded.

I own a decent-sized Mahler collection at this point, and this M3 may be in the top 5 or so of the absolute creme de la creme.

[barry guerrero]

Chailly was a rock drummer and percussionist, so he makes certain that all percussion detail gets recorded real clearly. It's one reason he's so good with the Varese stuff. His Cleveland "Rite Of Spring" is great that way also.

I don't know if Haitink had anyone in mind for the RCO, but it sounded as though there were some "sour grapes" on his part. That's my take, anyway. Haitink is fine when he simply isn't going too slow. At slow tempi, he's no match for Celibidache, Giulini, or other "slower is better" specialists.