Eschenbach M6 with Orch de Paris

[Leo K]

This sounds so good I could cry...a Mahler 6 to die for...reminds me why I became such a Mahler fanatic in the first place.  When I hear a performance like this I forget about the laundry, groceries, job, proportions, concept and all that jazz...this is the real deal!  Check out this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c5SLbRkTxg&feature=related


--Todd

[Dave H]

It's a specialty with him. His Philly recording is pretty terrifc too. When I was working in the NDR archives, I heard some live performances of the Fifth and Sixth that were also terrific. Eschenbach kind of specializes in Germanic gloom and doom! 

Dave H

[Leo K]

It's a specialty with him. His Philly recording is pretty terrifc too. When I was working in the NDR archives, I heard some live performances of the Fifth and Sixth that were also terrific. Eschenbach kind of specializes in Germanic gloom and doom! 

Dave H

Thanks Dave, I'm going to have to revist Eschenbach's Philly M6.  In the first movement, one of the elements I really like is the tempo slow-down into the bridge passage leading into the Alma passage...gets me everytime.

--Todd

[barry guerrero]

Yeah, that's pretty darn good. Although, during the second subject - the so-called "Alma" theme - the guy covering the triangle certainly could have held it up higher for his few scattered tinkles (3:45 or so). I would have, as they're pretty much solo. But I'll also venture another opinion that may not be too popular: in my estimation, the Orchestre de Paris is THE most underrated orchestra on the planet. They get no credit, yet they cover a very wide range of repertoire quite well. As you can see, they really respond enthusiastically to Mahler.

[Dave H]

Yes, the OdeP has become a very versatile group. I think perhaps part of the problem is that they haven't had any systematic exposure on recordings in the past couple of decades with a single music director. The last run was with Bychkov on Philips, and that wasn't a terribly happy collection of recordings. So they only pop up now and than on various labels with inconsistent results, particularly when the material is recorded live in an unflattering venue.

Dave H

[cilea]

Yes, the OdeP has become a very versatile group. I think perhaps part of the problem is that they haven't had any systematic exposure on recordings in the past couple of decades with a single music director. The last run was with Bychkov on Philips, and that wasn't a terribly happy collection of recordings. So they only pop up now and than on various labels with inconsistent results, particularly when the material is recorded live in an unflattering venue.

Dave, I've been quite pleased with their recent recordings under Eschenbach on Ondine (and, as I checked from the ClassicsToday.com, your reactions to them seem to be in general positive, too).

BTW, do you already have their new Saariaho disc?

[Dave H]

Yes, I do, but haven't head it yet. She's not my favorite contemporary composer, though I've enjoyed some of her stuff. I also have enjoyed several of the Eschenbach releases--Roussel Second Symphony especially--but the Third was a big disappointment. An indifferently played and conducted performance in mediocre sound, unfortunately.

Dave H