Recent Posts

41

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Klaus Mäkelä named Music Director of Chicago Symphony

« Last post by erikwilson7 on April 02, 2024, 05:43:48 PM »

This is fascinating news (I'm a Chicagoan).

I saw him conduct M5 last year in Chicago, and I was impressed. Of course, he still has much to prove.

42

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Klaus Mäkelä named Music Director of Chicago Symphony

« Last post by James Meckley on April 02, 2024, 04:29:15 PM »

28-year-old Klaus Mäkelä has been named music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra starting in the 2027-28 season. That's the same season he'll begin his tenure in Amsterdam—quite an undertaking for such a young man.

https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2024/04/klaus-makela-to-become-cso-music-director-in-2027/

James

43

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Has the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle stagnated?

« Last post by John Kim on April 02, 2024, 04:58:28 AM »

Thanks, Barry!^

I am very anxious to have the rest of the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle. I've heard their live archives of M6th and 9th and they were just great. I'll pobably write to pentatone too.

John

44

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Has the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle stagnated?

« Last post by barryguerrero on April 02, 2024, 02:18:02 AM »

Like John, I don't feel the world needs yet another Czech Phil. "Ma Vlast", but who's to say. Maybe Bychkov really wanted to conduct it. I wouldn't mind more Payere Mahler either. However, I would like to get my hands on his upcoming Mahler 6. When you come down to it, the world doesn't need any of this stuff.

Regardless, I sent off a message to Pentatone, urging them not to give up on the Bychkov cycle (I can't imagine that they would, but far stranger things have happened in the music industry). If you feel the desire to amplify my message to them, use info@pentatonemusic.com

Barry

45

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Has the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle stagnated?

« Last post by erikwilson7 on April 01, 2024, 09:00:05 PM »

That Payare M5 is fantastic. Frankly, if Pentatone wants to capitalize on that success I'd be happy to hear more from that team before getting back to Bychkov/CPO.

And if not, of course I'll be looking forward to more Bychkov -- especially if there's some Dvořák in the works.

46

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Has the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle stagnated?

« Last post by barryguerrero on April 01, 2024, 08:38:30 PM »

Indeed. What is going on (?). Some claim that their recent M5 recording with the other guy in Montreal, actually IS a beginning of a whole new cycle (Payare). Perhaps Pentatone wants to issue a few more of those first, before continuing with the Bychkov cycle. A case of striking while 'the iron is still hot, so to speak. I assume that they must have several more Bychkov Mahlers 'in the can' at this time, no?  .    .   .   .  I would like to have his M6 in Scherzo/Andante order.

Pentatone started a new regime in San Francisco, and perhaps those people are calling the shots at this time. They're located in the new S.F. Conservatory of Music building, right across the street from Davies Symphony Hall. They're advertising for an almost full-time position for someone to interface with their Dutch office - something like that. It might be a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. When it comes to record labels, NOTHING surprises me. I've pretty much seen it all.

I will try to formulate a polite letter to Pentatone's S.F. office, and see if I get ANY response. In many, many cases, these record companies simply ignore potential customer inquiries. The people involved don't know what the heck is going on either. One thing really good about Robert van Bahr (BIS), he gets back to you. Same for the guy who runs Ondine. Speaking of which   .    .    .   

Don't spread this around publicly, but van Bahr told me that the Vanksa/M.O. M3 should come out in May. I'm looking forward to that. 

47

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Has the Bychkov/CPO Mahler cycle stagnated?

« Last post by John Kim on March 31, 2024, 08:38:36 PM »

After the releases of M1,2,4, and 5, I don't hear any more announcement of their supposedly ongoing Mahler cycle. Instead, Pentatone just released Smetana <Ma Vlast> and I read a report that they will launch a new Dvorak cycle with Bychkov/CPO later this year. So, what's going on?

John

48

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sydney SO/Ashkenazy M3, M5, DLvdE

« Last post by barryguerrero on March 29, 2024, 08:17:07 AM »

Part of that Australian Mahler cycle is a complete M10 in the Barshai performing version. It's interesting to hear a very different take on Barshai's version - I think I like better than Barshai's own. The M8 is really big and bold, but you can tell that the acoustics are not great. My understanding is that they have since improved the acoustics in that hall.

Barry

49

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Re: Sydney SO/Ashkenazy M3, M5, DLvdE

« Last post by erikwilson7 on March 27, 2024, 01:41:32 PM »

I stumbled upon the Ashkenazy/Sydney cycle when I was browsing Spotify last year and I was pleasantly surprised about how much I liked it. I also remember the M3 being good, and I liked the M1 too. He seemed to 'get' the Wunderhorn symphonies well.

I should still listen to the rest, from M5 onwards. Thanks for the reminder and review!

It was recorded and engineered on the orchestra's own label too.

50

Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions / Sydney SO/Ashkenazy M3, M5, DLvdE

« Last post by akiralx on March 27, 2024, 11:12:11 AM »

Just picked up these three releases very cheaply and so far I am impressed with the M3. The playing is fine and the recording quality is excellent.

I heard Ashkenazy conduct a few times in Sydney but never in Mahler - I recall a 2012 performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto when I was sitting in the choir seats, and an elderly man in the stalls suffered a medical emergency was skilfully evacuated by paramedics. VA was of course oblivious to this but his soloist (Jian Wang) saw it unfold a few metres in front of him.