Dorati/BRSO M9th (old and new releases)

[John Kim]

I have owned this recording on CDR for many years but rarely listened until now. But I am very glad to report that, although the combination of Antal Dorati and Mahler might seem odd, he gives a warm, heartfelt reading here. The recording comes from a live concert on May 30th, 1984 and has a very nice acoustics that provides utterly natural and warm sound. The orchestra - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra - plays really well for most part and is not afraid to make a few 'Dorati stamps' when they are called for. Never before I've heard strings sounding so rich (but not as overly intense as in Karajan) and opulent in the Finale. You won't find the angst ridden touches or extreme emotions that conductors like Bernstein or Levine were able to stir in, but Dorati's emphasis on the symphonic structure and long lines combined with his uniquely humane, sympathetic approach will appeal to many Mahlerites like me. Nor surprisingly, all four movts are on a slow side, 28:19, 16:40, 14:13, 26:40.

I happened to notice that there will be a Japanese release of the same recording:

http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3661510

Hope the sound quality (which is already pretty good) is improved in this edition.

Highly recommended.

John,

[alpsman]

John,

I have great curiousity and expectations about this recording.

But there is no Japanese release of the cd. The one in hmvjapan( in the link you gave) is the Europe pressing, and I thing there is not going to be any japanese release. Unfortunately

[John Kim]

Yes, I noticed.

But underneath the title and description on the webpage, one Japanese gave an enthusiastic review saying the sound is improved over the previous CDR release.

Like I said, everything Dorati does with the orchestra pleases me and I like the sound very much too.

This M9th is for those who have been worn out of the piece and are looking for new, warmer side of the music.

It will certainly provide much musical and aesthetic pleasure.

John,

[barry guerrero]

Dorati was a truly great, all-around conductor. It shouldn't at all be surprising that he could do a realy good Mahler 9th. He did an M6 in Chicago in the '60s that was supposedly really good. I'd sure like to hear that!

[waderice]

Dorati was a truly great, all-around conductor.

Yes, he was.  While music director of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra back in the '70's, he performed all of the Mahler symphonies, except for the 7th and the 8th, if memory serves me correctly.  I was in the chorus for his performances of the 2nd in 1973.  We got a 10-minute standing ovation at the end of the three performances.

[barry guerrero]

Wow! Good for you. Thanks for sharing.